Crow Statement on Fort Lee Visit

WASHINGTON - Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06) released the following statement after visiting Fort Lee, where the first group of Afghan translators and other Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) recipients evacuated to the U.S. are being temporarily housed:

"I was honored to join Senators Tammy Duckworth, Joni Ernst and Rep. Mike Waltz today to help welcome the first group of evacuated Afghan interpreters and their families to their new home in the United States. I was very impressed with the professionalism and work of Task Force Eagle at Fort Lee, VA. The cooperation between agencies and sense of urgency for the mission was impressive.

"As an Army Ranger who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, I know firsthand how vital the service of Afghan interpreters, guides, and other partners has been to U.S. forces and our mission in Afghanistan. I may not be here today were it not for the bravery and sacrifice of the Afghan men and women who worked with me during my service.

"As we withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan, we must stand by those who stood by us. Last week, Congress passed broadly bipartisan legislation that included the HOPE for Afghan SIVs Act to temporarily waive the medical examination for our Afghan partners and core components of the ALLIES Act to expedite the visa process. There are still thousands of Afghan partners and their families waiting for evacuation and in grave danger. I look forward to working with the Biden Administration and my colleagues in Congress to finish the job and honor our promises."

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