Chairman Takano Encourages President Biden to Extend Deadline for Troops in Afghanistan as Veterans Work to Help Afghan Allies

WASHINGTON, D.C —Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) made the following statement to encourage President Biden to consider extending the deadline for U.S. Military to remain in Afghanistan to assist with evacuation efforts as veterans work to help the Afghan allies that helped them. Veterans who deployed to Afghanistan and want to help their Afghan allies attain a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) can find more information here.  

“As Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, I have heard from so many of our veterans desperate to help the Afghan translators and colleagues that courageously helped them during Operation Enduring Freedom and Freedom Sentinel. Now that the State Department has released specific guidance for these veterans to assist their allies in obtaining a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV), I’m encouraging President Biden to consider extending the deadline for U.S. Military to remain in Afghanistan so we can evacuate as many of our Afghan allies and fellow Americans as possible. Despite great risks to themselves, our Afghan allies stepped up to help us-- for those veterans who want to help the allies that supported them, we must ensure they have time to do so. I commend the efforts of the Biden Administration and all servicemembers who have been actively working to evacuate many of these allies and hope that our veterans can continue to support this work. 

“I know that it is difficult for many veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors to watch these events unfold—please know that help is available if you need it and that it is okay to not be okay. Thank you all for your service and sacrifice for our country and for your continued efforts to help our brave Afghan allies.”

If you or a veteran you know are struggling, contact the Veteran Crisis Line 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255 and select option 1, or text 838255. Learn more about other mental health resources available here.

###

• Print
• Email
• Tweet