Trump’s Bogus Travel Ban Strands Afghan Visa Holders in Albania, Says Advocacy Group
A group of Afghan nationals who were brought to the United States through the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program for their service to the US government are facing a desperate predicament due to the ongoing travel ban issued by the Trump administration.
On September 24, 2020, the US State Department announced that it would be expanding its COVID-19 travel ban to include individuals who do not have a valid visa, effective immediately. This move was intended to prevent the spread of the virus, but it has had a particularly devastating impact on Afghan interpreters and their families who were brought to the US through the SIV program.
“These individuals have served as translators, interpreters, and cultural advisors for the US military and government, facing immense danger and putting their lives on the line to assist the US efforts in Afghanistan,” said Behrang Soraj, a member of the Afghan Americans for Fairness and Justice. “Now, they are stuck in Albania, unable to enter the US, and facing an uncertain and precarious future.”
The visa holders were flown to Tirana, Albania, where they were to undergo a 14-day quarantine, as per US requirements, before being transported to the United States. However, with the travel ban in place, they are now unable to fly to the US, leaving them stranded without a clear path forward.
“We are deeply troubled by the administration’s decision to add Afghanistan to the list of countries subject to the travel ban, which has left many of our Afghan SIV clients in limbo,” said Marta V. Morris, Director of the International Institute of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), which is providing support to the stranded Afghans. “The SIV program has been instrumental in providing protection to Afghan nationals who have risked their lives to support the US military and government efforts. It’s crucial that we address this issue and allow these individuals to come to the US.”
“Extensive Testing” Could Solve the Crisis
Soraj argued that the administration could resolve the crisis by implementing a “comprehensive, systematic, and transparent testing plan” to ensure that the visa holders pose no risk to public health. He also emphasized that these individuals have already undergone rigorous testing and vetting before arriving in Albania, making it even more unlikely that they would pose a public health risk.
The situation has left many Afghan SIV holders and their families facing uncertainty and anxiety, with some even experiencing symptoms of mental health issues, anxiety, and depression, according to advocacy groups.
Soraj called on the US administration to reconsider its decision, stating, “The Afghan people have risked their lives to support the US, and it’s time for the US to come and support them in this time of need. We urge the administration to lift the travel ban and allow these Afghan SIV holders to enter the US safely.”
The Afghan Americans for Fairness and Justice have launched a petition calling for an end to the travel ban and urging the administration to provide special permission for Afghan SIV holders to enter the US.
