“This suspension abandons Afghan interpreters, contractors and their families who made unimaginable sacrifices to support and protect American service members abroad,” said Naveed Shah, U.S. Army veteran and political director of Common Defense, a veterans’ organization.
And from Lt. Col. Mark Belinsky (ret.) of the Military Officers Association of America: “[We] continue to advocate for the protection of our Afghan allies, asking Congress and the Executive Branch to prioritize their resettlement and ensure a clear path to citizenship.”
In addition, Matthew Shuman, chair of the American Legion Security Commission, said: “Our Afghan allies have stood alongside America’s service members … and then earned the right to call America home, seek citizenship and fly the American Flag on the front porch of their own home in our beautiful nation.”
The American Legion joined other Veteran Service Organizations on Feb. 8, 2024, in calling Congress to mandate support and assistance for our wartime Afghan allies. Specifically, the Legion is asking Congress to establish a path to permanent legal residency for the Afghan allies who supported American troops in Afghanistan.
By turning its back on the Afghans, the Trump administration not only jeopardizes the lives of our allies but also undermines trust in America’s commitment to its military ethos. Sending them back would be a stain on America’s honor and a direct violation of the trust these individuals placed in our nation and its service members.
“Leave no one behind” is a core principle and creed within the U.S. military, emphasizing the commitment to account for every member of a unit after battle. This principle extends beyond combat and into everyday life, emphasizing the importance of supporting and assisting fellow service members in need.