SW News: In a letter sent to Congress on Tuesday, Bishop Mark Seitz, chair of the US bishops' Migration Committee, urged them to pass the Afghan Adjustment Act, which would grant permanent asylum to people who supported American service members during the war and are now in danger due to the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

Speaking for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Bishop Seitz said the bill would provide long overdue certainty to tens of thousands of Afghans who were relocated to the United States, while also demonstrating solidarity with those whose lives continue to hang in the balance.

He said Catholic social teaching upholds the importance of full participation by all who inhabit a society, considering it both a right and a duty adding that to arbitrarily deny that participation is an injustice. To arbitrarily deny that participation is an injustice and contrary to Pope Francis’ appeal for communities that are ready to welcome, protect, promote, and integrate everyone, without distinctions and without excluding anyone.

Additionally, since the Taliban takeover, religious freedom has steadily and dramatically declined in Afghanistan. The letter states that many of those who would benefit from the Afghan Adjustment Act served alongside US service members in the country or are the family members of those individuals.
Returning to Afghanistan is not an option for them, but even after an unparalleled effort to achieve their removal, their capacity to live permanently in the United States and fully contribute to society is severely constrained by present law.

Over 85% of those evacuated from Afghanistan still rely on humanitarian parole or other temporary safeguards over two years after the US withdrew, and the great majority is unlikely to be granted asylum or special immigrant status.
This is unacceptable for the families involved, their companies, government organizations, and the neighborhoods they are now a part of. The Afghan Adjustment Act would correct this flaw, proving the nation's commitment to its partners, delivering its pledge to these families, and reinforcing the value of humanitarian protection.