US House passes bill to relocate ‘Afghan Allies’

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill to support efforts to relocate Afghan allies of Washington to the United States. The legislation calls for the appointment of a coordinator in the U.S. State Department to oversee these efforts.

According to the text of the “Afghan Relocation Efforts Coordinator Act 2024,” published on the Congress website, the coordinator will be responsible for the “relocation and resettlement of eligible Afghan allies” and facilitating the departure of U.S. citizens and permanent residents from Afghanistan.

Additionally, the coordinator will support the State Department and the U.S. government’s efforts to assist in the resettlement and relocation of Afghan nationals.

The draft bill was introduced for consideration on October 6 by Dina Titus, a representative from Nevada.

The bill was approved on Wednesday, November 20, with 334 votes in favor, 63 against, and 36 abstentions.

After the bill’s passage, Dina Titus stated on her social media account, “I am proud to have led this bill to ensure we can bring eligible Afghan allies who helped the U.S. and are facing threats from the Taliban to safety.”

This legislation comes as thousands of eligible Afghan refugees await relocation to the U.S. They are currently stranded in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Qatar, and Albania, with some having been outside Afghanistan for over three years. Many fear the relocation process might be halted if Donald Trump returns to office.

The slow pace of the relocation process has added to the anxiety of Afghan refugees. As political changes loom in the U.S., the uncertainty surrounding their future intensifies, making immediate action more critical.

This situation also highlights the broader challenges of refugee relocation during global crises. International cooperation and a streamlined process are essential to ensure that those who risked their lives supporting foreign missions are not left behind in vulnerable conditions.

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