'True Champion' Earl Blumenauer recognized for immigration work for U.S. allies

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Oregon congressman Earl Blumenauer was given a lifetime achievement award from No One Left Behind for his work on the Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrant Visas program.

The program began in 2008 when Blumenauer, along with Senators John McCain and Ted Kennedy, worked to pass legislation creating a path for Iraqi and Afghan nationals to receive legal permanent status. The program has expanded over the years with Blumenauer securing 12,000 Special Immigrant Visas in 2024.

Blumenauer also introduced the Afghan Adjustment Act in 2022 which allowed Afghan allies to apply for permanent legal residency following the United States withdrawal from Afghanistan.

In a statement, Blumenauer said that working to protect Iraqi and Afghan allies was a highlight of his career and that we cannot stop this support now.

“Fighting to fulfill our moral and legal obligation to our Afghan and Iraqi allies is a highlight of my time in Congress. This award is a symbol of our progress since that transformative meeting at Lincoln High and a promise of the work to come,” said Blumenauer. “We cannot let up now. Congress must continue to authorize Special Immigrant Visas and enact my legislation to establish a pathway to legal permanent status for our Afghan allies relocated to the United States. To be a friend should not be fatal.”

Janis Shinwari, founder of No One Left Behind also spoke on Blumenauer's behalf about the important work he has done throughout his storied career in Congress.

"Representative Blumenauer was one of the first Americans to welcome me to the United States when I arrived at Dulles Airport through the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Program in 2013. From his role in my journey to the United States to advocating for hundreds of critical SIV cases and his leadership securing numerous legislative victories for the SIV programs, he has been a true champion in keeping the promises made to our allies. We are proud to honor Rep. Blumenauer’s leadership on the Iraqi and Afghan SIV programs with No One Left Behind’s Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Shinwari.

In 2023, Blumenauer announced he would not seek reelection after spending almost 50 years in elected office.

Before he was a congressman, Blumenauer was also Multnomah County Commissioner and Portland City Councilor.