Shaheen Floor Speech on Bipartisan Efforts to Extend Visa Program for Afghan Support Staff

Shaheen urged the Senate to support the continuation of the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa program (SIV), which allows Afghans who have supported the U.S. mission in Afghanistan and face threats as a result of their service to apply for refuge in the United States. Afghan civilians who have assisted our military as firefighters, construction workers and community liaisons are being targeted by the Taliban for their work. Shaheen’s legislation authorizes 4,000 additional visas for the next fiscal year and takes additional steps to strengthen Afghan SIV processing and vetting.