Matsui, Blumenauer, Nadler, and Lofgren Lead Legislation to Improve Resettlement Process for Special Immigrant Visa Holders

Washington, D.C. ­ Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) joined with Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), and Judiciary Immigration andamp; Border Security Subcommittee Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) to introduce the Afghan and Iraqi Allies Resettlement Improvement Act, which aims to help Special Immigration Visa (SIV) holders transition to their new lives in the United States.

"Special Immigrant Visa holders who have helped keep the United States safe abroad are facing hardships here that we need to address," said Matsui. "This legislation would implement targeted reforms so we can begin to improve the resettlement process for SIV recipients and their families. We need to make sure that those who have sacrificed for our country feel welcome and at home here."

"Afghan and Iraqi translators and guides are too often left behind once they arrive in the United States," said Blumenauer. "They put their lives on the line serving alongside American servicemembers in dangerous conditions. We have an obligation to wholly fulfill our promise to them and make sure they have the resources for a productive life in the United States."

"Every year, thousands of brave Iraqi and Afghani men and women risk their lives to help our U.S. military," said Nadler. "The Special Immigrant Visa program provides these brave men and women with protection and we should do everything we can to ensure that SIV recipients have a comfortable transition to life in the U.S. This bill takes some initial steps towards critical policy changes in our SIV program, and I am proud to be a co-sponsor on this important legislation."

"The SIV program provides critical support to our military by providing protection to foreign nationals who aid U.S. troops," said Lofgren. "This common sense bill creates a much needed review of our SIV program and directs the State Department to help SIV recipients with integration and assimilation. I hope all my colleagues join Rep. Matsui in this effort."

The SIV program provides lawful U.S. permanent residence for Iraqi and Afghan nationals who are in danger due to their work assisting the U.S. government through service as translators, interpreters, or in other capacities. Approximately 73,326 SIVs have been granted to Iraqi and Afghan nationals and their family members.

The Afghan and Iraqi Allies Resettlement Improvement Act builds on a March 2018 report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which made targeted recommendations to improve the resettlement process for SIV holders at the request of Reps. Matsui, Blumenauer, Lofgren, Moulton, and former Representative John Conyers.

The Afghan and Iraqi Allies Resettlement Improvement Act would:

• Direct the Department of Health and Human Services to survey SIV holders as part of their Annual Survey of Refugees.
• Direct the Department of State to identify and implement additional ways to deliver information to SIV applicants about life in the United States to assist with their adjustment process.
• Direct the Department of Defense and the Department of State to jointly establish and operate a program to offer SIV holders employment as translators, interpreters, and cultural awareness instructors.

The legislation was praised by the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP): "The SIV program is a lifeline for many Afghan and Iraqi partners, who have served the United States and are in danger due to their service. This bill not only recognizes the contributions that these partners have made overseas, but also the many ways in which they continue to contribute after arriving in the United States," said Betsy Fisher, Policy Director, IRAP.

Text of the legislation can be found here.

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