ACLU Comment on Reported DHS Plan to Allow Some Afghans Into the U.S. Without Formal Visas

August 25, 2021 12:15 pm

Media Contact
125 Broad Street
18th Floor
New York, NY 10004
United States

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 25, 2021

CONTACT: Analise Ortiz, aortiz1@aclu.org, 480-709-0503

WASHINGTON — Government officials have reportedly confirmed that Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is using his humanitarian parole authority to grant at-risk Afghans entry to the U.S., including people who are waiting for their Special Immigrant Visa applications to be processed.

Omar Jadwat, director of the ACLU’s Immigrants’ Rights Project, had the following reaction:

“We applaud Secretary Mayorkas for showing leadership in a time of crisis. This decision will provide a lifeline to vulnerable Afghans. Humanitarian parole is a broad and flexible authority that can protect not only Special Immigrant Visa applicants, but others who are at grave risk, including human rights workers and journalists. With this critical tool for fulfilling our obligation to protect people from persecution now available, the government can and must accelerate its efforts to evacuate and resettle Afghans who are at risk.”

Every month, you'll receive regular roundups of the most important civil rights and civil liberties developments. Remember: a well-informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.