Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez floated a excessive minimal variety of refugee visas for Afghans fleeing their war-torn homeland — however mentioned it’s simply a place to begin.
The New York Democrat mentioned a minimal of 200,000 visas are wanted however rapidly added “no matter quantity is critical” needs to be accommodated.
“I consider we have to transfer, and the administration wants to maneuver as rapidly as doable and as expansively as doable, making certain that we’re elevating the quantity of refugee visas to no matter quantity is critical ,” she mentioned in an interview .
11 MARINES, NAVY MEDIC AMONG DEAD AS KABUL CASUALTIES CLIMB
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“I might say the all-time low is 200,000, however I feel it needs to be no matter is critical … And that must be expedited as quickly as doable,” mentioned the chief of the far-left Home bloc dubbed “the Squad.”
The congresswoman voted for laws to extend the variety of particular immigrant visas for Afghan nationals who labored with NATO or the U.S. authorities in Afghanistan. The invoice handed within the Home with solely 16 votes towards it and can now transfer to a vote within the Senate.
Home Republicans broadly help visas for Afghans who assisted the U.S. army, in addition to their speedy households. Ocasio-Cortez beforehand expressed help for Afghan refugees fleeing the rule of the Taliban.
“We should waste no time or expense in serving to refugees safely and swiftly go away Afghanistan ,” Ocasio-Cortez mentioned earlier this month . “We should instantly welcome them to the U.S. and supply actual help as they rebuild their lives.”
Tens of hundreds of Afghan allies of America stay stranded in Afghanistan amid the Taliban’s swift takeover of the nation.
