AILA Applauds Biden Administration’s Temporary Protected Status Decision on Afghanistan; Next, Congress Needs to Step Up

WASHINGTON, DC – The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) welcomed news that the Biden Administration is extending and redesignating Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The administration is again using a statutory authority intended to offer a lifeline to those already in the United States who cannot return to their home countries due to ongoing armed conflict, dangers from natural disasters, or other humanitarian crises.

AILA President Farshad Owji noted, “Extending and redesignating Afghanistan for TPS is extremely important. Tens of thousands of individuals were forced to flee Afghanistan after the U.S. departure led to a Taliban takeover. Despite the clear need for congressional action to pass the Afghan Adjustment Act and protect those who have fled permanently, thus far no such action has occurred. This inaction is why the administration’s redesignation and extension is necessary today, offering a temporary lifeline for families and individuals for 18 months. Congress must take the opportunity to pass the Afghan Adjustment Act in order to ensure permanent protections are available.”

AILA Director of Government Relations Sharvari Dalal-Dheini, added “It has been more than two full years since the fall of Kabul and yet Congress has yet to do what’s right and protect our allies. Their sacrifices for our safety deserve permanent protection. Passage of the Afghan Adjustment Act would be a step toward paying the debt we owe our Afghan allies for the risks they took on behalf of America’s war effort. We urge Congress to use some of the time granted by the administration through this TPS extension and redesignation to work together and stand with our Afghan allies.”