A group of 51 lawmakers from both parties is pushing for the continuation of a visa program designed to assist Afghans who are fleeing the Taliban. Representatives Jason Crow, a Democrat from Colorado, and Zach Nunn, a Republican from Iowa, have reached out to the key figures in the House of Representatives as negotiations over federal funding for the fiscal year 2025 are ongoing.
In their correspondence, they emphasized the importance of preserving the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program, stating, “Authorizing new Afghan SIVs is crucial for vetting and relocating qualified Afghan applicants who are currently in the process.” They are specifically addressing House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole and other leading appropriators.
This push for continued funding comes as President-elect Trump has vowed to implement significant spending cuts. He recently stated on social media that the U.S. is planning to cut hundreds of billions of dollars in spending in the upcoming year.
Some of Trump’s allies, particularly in the House, have urged him to take a more active role in determining how federal funds are utilized. Recently, Trump appointed Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to head an advisory panel focused on government efficiency and cost-cutting. The two figures have already become influential in discussions on spending, having opposed a large bipartisan funding bill.
The bipartisan group advocating for the Afghan SIV program claims it offers a vital escape route for Afghans who face real dangers from groups like the Taliban and ISIS due to their cooperation with U.S. forces and diplomatic efforts. They stress that Congress must maintain this initiative to ensure the State Department can issue visas to eligible Afghans under threat.
Originally established in 2009, the Afghan SIV program gained renewed significance after the swift Taliban takeover in 2021, which followed the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan. Since fiscal year 2019, Congress has approved additional visas under this program each year.
Currently, negotiators in Congress have yet to finalize a spending plan for fiscal year 2025, leading to temporary extensions of the previous year’s funding levels to avert a partial government shutdown. The latest extension, known as a continuing resolution, allows lawmakers until March 14 to reach a budget agreement.
