I’m writing to ask you to put an open door refugee policy in place for Afghanis, and to increase the capacity of NGOs operating in the country to make referrals for the P2 program, especially for women and girls, activists, and religious and ethnic minorities. Many vulnerable Afghans--women, children, the disabled, the LGBTQI+ community, ethnic and religious minorities--were not direct recipients of aid but should be eligible and assisted under the P2 program.
Also, the U.S. needs to expedite processing for SIV and P2 applicants. Since the security situation is so grave, the U.S. must charter flights for all the vulnerable groups who seek asylum and safe haven in the United States or beyond. The alternative is them being lashed, repressed or killed.
I urge your administration to ensure the safety of the most vulnerable by using diplomacy to pressure the Taliban into an immediate, unconditional ceasefire with a commitment to protect civilians under the direction of the United Nations.
Finally, as part of its continued withdrawal plan and commitment to the Afghan people, I call upon the Biden administration to commit to: hold a cordon around the airport and keep it open, order every military and charter aircraft he can get to start running people out, demand third countries drop their visa requirements on Afghans, and demand Pakistan and the northern countries open their borders.
Thank you.
