1. United States
2. Wisc.
3. Letter

I am a mother of two school-age children, a teacher, and a proud member of my community in Waukesha, Wisconsin. I am concerned about the continued suspension of refugee applications and programs, especially as it pertains to people from Afghanistan. It is especially disturbing in sharp contrast to recent encouragement of a "refugee program" for people from South Africa. The contrast between these two groups could not be greater. White Afrikaner groups are being welcomed easily, while a false rhetoric that they are being subjected to genocide is being used as justification. All reputable sources show there is no genocide under any definition, as the Afrikaners still maintain economic and social advantages throughout South Africa. To purposely bring them here on false pretenses only highlights the wrongs being done by shutting down every other refugee program. With the pause on programs like the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program as well as on funding for resettlement programs such as the Special Immigrant Visa, we are denying help to those who worked with our American forces in Afghanistan, whose lives and families are in actual, factually proven jeopardy under the new Taliban government. To abandon our allies who put their lives -- and their families' lives -- on the line in order to fight the Taliban for years is shameful. It brings shame upon our government and upon us as human beings. It also sets an example for how we treat our Allies, which could ripple out into future military events. To call privileged Afrikaners victims of genocide and make it easy for them to resettle here is shameful in the face of shutting down all other refugee programs for those escaping true horrors. Speak up today for the full reinstatement of these programs and funds for refugees in need of our help. They were working and they were fulfilling promises we made to our allies. For us to abandon them and their families is a disgrace that should not be tolerated. Thank you for the hard work that I know you do every day, representing those of us in Wisconsin who voted for you.