The Mission: Honor the Service. Keep the Word.
We, the undersigned Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) recipients and American supporters, urgently call upon this administration to restore categorical entry exemptions for Afghan allies who have been fully vetted and approved under the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009.

 
For over two decades, we stood shoulder to shoulder with U.S. forces—not as employees or contractors, but as committed partners in a shared mission. We did not merely work for the United States; we risked our lives for its objectives, earning the highest level of trust the U.S. government can bestow.

 
We are not political actors. We do not seek involvement in policy, programs, or power. We are ordinary men and women who fulfilled extraordinary roles under extraordinary circumstances. Now, we ask only for the safety, dignity, and fulfillment of the promise America made to those who served faithfully by its side.

 
 
 
A Moment of Reckoning: Condemnation and Clarity
On November 26, 2025, a horrific act of violence took the life of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, a 20-year-old member of the Minnesota National Guard, and wounded Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe in Washington, D.C. We unequivocally condemn this attack. It was a betrayal of everything those of us who served alongside U.S. forces believe in.

 
But justice demands precision—not collective punishment. The accused, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, does not represent all of the fully vetted Afghan SIV applicants now stranded in legal limbo. We are individuals who:

 
Received Chief of Mission approval for high-value service,
Underwent multi-year, multi-agency vetting by the Department of Defense, DHS, FBI, and the National Counterterrorism Center,
And were cleared through in-person consular interviews—the most rigorous screening in the U.S. immigration system.
 
To conflate one man’s alleged crime with an entire community of vetted allies is not only unjust—it undermines the very principles of due process and individual accountability that define America.

 
 
 
The Crisis of Credibility
The December 16, 2025 Presidential Proclamation, by removing categorical exemptions for SIV holders, has created a dangerous bottleneck that traps America’s most loyal allies in physical and legal limbo. As a result:

 
Those in Afghanistan are being hunted, arrested, and prosecuted by the Taliban solely for their affiliation with the U.S.

Those in third countries face imminent deportation—despite having already passed all security checks—because they lack legal status while awaiting final U.S. entry.

Valid SIV approvals no longer guarantee safety: Embassies are placing fully vetted cases on hold under discretionary reviews (221(g) or 212(f)), leaving families in peril.
 
This is not caution—it is a breach of trust. A promise made by Congress is being stalled, signaling to future allies worldwide that American loyalty is conditional.

 
 
 
The Case for Action
These individuals are not unknowns. Every SIV holder has already cleared the “Gold Standard” of vetting:

 
✅ Chief of Mission Approval – Verified service of significant value to U.S. missions
✅ Multi-Agency Security Screening – Including biometric checks by DoD, FBI, and NCTC
✅ In-Person Consular Interviews – Face-to-face evaluation by U.S. officials

 
“The U.S. government already deemed us worthy of protection. We passed every test. Now, we simply ask for the promise to be honored.”
 
 
 
Our Demands
We respectfully urge the Administration to take the following executive actions immediately:

 
1 - Restore Categorical Exemptions – Re-list Afghan SIV holders as exempt from the January 1, 2026 travel restrictions.

2- Authorize Automatic National Interest Exceptions (NIEs)—Recognize that admitting those who served U.S. forces directly advances national security and global credibility.

3- Expedite “Pre-Existing” Approvals – Prioritize visa issuance for those who completed interviews before January 1, 2026.

4- Ensure Clarity and Transparency – Issue clear guidance to the Department of State to prevent the indefinite “parking” of fully vetted cases.
 
 
 
Conclusion: America’s Word Is Its Strength
America is at its strongest when it stands by its word. Abandoning those who bled for our flag—not only in combat zones but in the quiet courage of daily partnership—undermines future missions, erodes trust among global partners, and dishonors the sacrifice of service members like Specialist Beckstrom.

 
We ask you to lead with moral clarity and strategic resolve:
Honor the promise. Protect our allies. Keep the word.

 
👉 Sign this petition to tell Washington: Do not let politics override principle.
🔗 https://c.org/Ynj5JYLhZd