NOLB Statement on Jan. 14 Immigration Pause Impacting Iraq and Afghanistan

WASHINGTON – No One Left Behind is closely monitoring reports that the U.S. State Department will pause immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, including Iraq and Afghanistan, beginning January 21. The suspension, announced via public reporting, will continue indefinitely while the Department reviews screening procedures.

We are deeply concerned by this development and its potential new impacts on Iraqi allies who served alongside U.S. troops and are currently completing robust vetting and awaiting Special Immigrant Visas to reach safety in the United States.

We are actively working to determine how this policy may affect Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants specifically. Iraqi and Afghan SIV holders have a distinct legal pathway created by Congress to honor America's promise to wartime allies. We will share updated information as soon as we have confirmed information about whether SIV cases are included in, or exempted from, this suspension.

No One Left Behind will continue to advocate for every wartime ally still waiting to reach safety. We urge the Department of State to ensure that Iraqi and Afghan SIV applicants, who have already undergone and passed extensive vetting and whose service to the United States is documented, can continue to securely and appropriately pursue the path to safety these partners earned.

For case support, contact: info@nooneleft.org

We will continue to provide timely updates as we confirm the scope of this policy and its impact on SIV cases.

###

About No One Left Behind 

No One Left Behind is the nation's oldest veteran-founded nonprofit dedicated to ensuring America keeps its promise to wartime allies from Iraq and Afghanistan. Since 2013, NOLB has provided advocacy, resettlement assistance, and financial support to thousands of SIV recipients who served alongside U.S. troops.