In our efforts in Afghanistan we got a lot of help from a lot of Afghans, particularly as interpreters. Sure, many of them did it for the money, but all of them put themselves and their families at risk to help us. Even now they are in trouble. They and their families are being hunted down by the Taliban. Some have been killed and wounded while waiting for an American visa. Many are scared to leave their homes, shop in open markets or take their children to school.
We did establish the Special Immigrant Visa program to allow Afghans to seek refuge here. These visas are given to those who undergo rigorous screening and can demonstrate at least two years of faithful and valuable service to the United States. More than 9,000 Afghans have taken advantage of the program.
But now legislation is on track to stop this program while there are still 10,000 or so Afghans currently trying to come here. If the legislation is not changed, why
would anyone agree to help the United States if we have a record of breaking our promises and abandoning those who assist us? Petraeus and McChrystal realize this and have urged that the legislation by changed.
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