Harder Votes to Provide Visas to Those Who Aided US Troops in Afghanistan
Harder worked personally to help Afghan family who aided US troops reunite in Modesto earlier this year
WASHINGTON — Today, Representative Josh Harder (CA-10) voted to provide new visas to the men and women who aided US troops in Afghanistan. The Allies Act of 2021 will raise the number of Afghan Special Immigrant Visas by 8,000 in order to ensure Afghan allies and their families can safely enter the United States in the coming weeks and months. Because of their support for our troops, these men and women face an unprecedented wave of violence if they're forced to stay in Afghanistan.
Earlier this year, Rep. Harder personally worked to reunite an Afghan family in Modesto who helped US troops in the region. Though Amina and Basir Adel were granted entry to the US for their work with American troops abroad, their daughters were not allowed to join them. After months of work, Rep. Harder and his team were able to reunite the Adel family just days before the COVID-19 pandemic began. Watch their story here.
"Thousands of Afghan men and women agreed to risk their lives to assist our troops during the war in Afghanistan. They kept our heroes safe, now we have to keep our word and repay the debt. It's the right thing to do." said Rep. Harder. "Earlier this year I sat down with an Afghani family in Modesto who sacrificed their safety to help our men and women in uniform. Their bravery, their determination, and their commitment to our troops was nothing short of inspiring. Today, I'm voting yes to ensure every family like the Adels has a safe place to live and a future they can look forward to. They kept our troops safe, and it's time we keep their families safe."