Kamlager-Dove, Meeks Issue Statement on Trump’s Plan to Send Afghan Allies to the Congo

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Representatives Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on South and Central Asia, and Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee issued the following statement condemning President Trump's plans to send Afghan allies at Camp As Sayliyah (CAS) to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC):

"President Trump should be ashamed of forcing our Afghan allies into an impossible choice: return to Afghanistan and face likely Taliban reprisals or be sent to the DRC, a country grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis and ongoing conflict. This is unjust to both the Afghans at CAS and the Congolese people. These individuals stood with the United States throughout a 20-year war, many serving alongside American troops in combat. In return, we made a promise to protect them after the Taliban's takeover. Abandoning that commitment not only betrays our allies, it sends a dangerous message to future partners that U.S. promises cannot be trusted.

"This administration has failed to uphold America's word to these Afghan allies, especially after creating this crisis and imposing an arbitrary deadline. Congress established the SIV program and supported other pathways for Afghans. We call on Republicans who helped lead those efforts to join Democrats in urging the Trump administration to exercise national interest waiver authority to admit vetted Afghans and fulfill America's commitments. It's not too late to reverse course and honor our promises to those who served alongside us."

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