VETERANS ADVOCATE FOR AFGHAN ALLIES AMID TRUMP’S SUSPENSION OF REFUGEE PROGRAM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 24, 2025
“This suspension abandons Afghan interpreters, contractors, and their families who made unimaginable sacrifices to support and protect American service members abroad.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Common Defense, the nation’s largest veteran-led grassroots organization, denounces the Trump administration’s suspension of the refugee program that is critical to protecting Afghan allies who risked their lives in service of U.S. troops. This decision is a betrayal of our military values and the promises made to those who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with us in combat.
“Throughout the armed services, our guiding principle has always been that you never leave anyone behind,” said Naveed Shah, Political Director of Common Defense and U.S. Army Veteran. “This suspension abandons Afghan interpreters, contractors, and their families who made unimaginable sacrifices to support and protect American service members abroad. They upheld their promises to us, and now we are failing to uphold ours to them.”
The refugee program—including the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program—ensures that Afghan allies and their families are relocated to safety. These individuals chose to play a crucial role in protecting U.S. forces and advancing our mission overseas, often under direct threat from the Taliban and other insurgent groups. By suspending this program, the administration not only jeopardizes the lives of our allies but also undermines trust in America’s commitment to its military ethos.
“The phrase ‘no one left behind’ isn’t just a slogan; it’s a sacred promise. Trump’s decision to suspend this program betrays values that service members hold dear. It sends a chilling message to those who might consider standing with America in the future.” - Oscar Arbulu, Deputy Political Director of Common Defense and Marine Corps Veteran.
Common Defense urges the Trump administration to take immediate action to reinstate and expand the refugee program, ensuring Afghan allies and their families receive the protection they deserve. Anything less 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.
“This is not just a policy issue; it’s a moral issue,” added Arbulu. “The people who protected us during some of our most vulnerable moments in war deserve to have their promises kept. We call on Congress and the administration to act swiftly to reverse this decision and uphold the commitments we’ve made to our allies.”
As trustworthy veterans who have served alongside these brave men and women, Common Defense stands firm in advocating for the fair treatment of Afghan allies and the continuation of programs that ensure their safety.
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Common Defense Civic Engagement is a grassroots, veteran-led organization (501c4) that was founded in 2016. We empower veterans to stand up for our communities against the rising tide of racism, hate, and violence, to organize against the entrenched powers that have rigged our economy, and to champion an equitable and representative democracy, where “liberty and justice” truly is for all. For too long, politicians from both political parties have attempted to use veterans as unwilling political props, and Common Defense serves as a home for veterans to organize and speak for themselves and support the candidates who truly share our values.