Former Military Commanders Support Afghan Adjustment Act

WASHINGTON – More than 40 senior U.S. military officers sent a letter supporting the Afghan Adjustment Act (AAA) to Congressional leaders yesterday. The letter urges lawmakers to pass the AAA, which would provide a pathway to permanent residency for Afghans who have served alongside U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

Included in the signatories were former commanders of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and U.S. Forces – Afghanistan (USFOR-A), including General Stanley McChrystal, USA (Ret.), General David McKiernan, USA (Ret.), General John R. Allen, USMC (Ret.), and others.

The military leaders state that the Afghan Adjustment Act would, “Assure that the American commitments will be honored.” Their letter adds, “Veterans have been carrying the burden while Congress has delayed providing meaningful relief to this ongoing crisis.”

“The support of these senior officers for the Afghan Adjustment Act illustrates how robust the protections in this bill are for American communities,” said Chris Purdy, Director of Veterans for American Ideals and Outreach at Human Rights First. “Their support also shows how important AAA is to salving the moral injury our abrupt withdrawal from Afghanistan caused veterans who served there. Finally, they understand that the AAA will help ensure that Afghans who risked their lives to help the United States are not left behind. Human Rights First joins these senior officers in urging Congress to pass this important bill immediately.”

Human Rights First has long supported the Afghan Adjustment Act, and is committed to working with Congress to pass it into law. The legislation would provide a pathway to permanent residency for Afghans – interpreters, drivers, and other support personnel for U.S. forces in Afghanistan – who put their lives on the line to help the United States and deserve our protection.