California, Texas, Wisconsin | September 17, 2021
Here’s Why The Bulk Of Afghan Refugees Are Heading To Purple States . . .
California, Texas, Wisconsin | September 17, 2021
The federal government is now preparing to relocate thousands of Afghan refugees in a number of swing states. President Joe Biden is planning to ask Congress for funding to bring around 95,000 people from Afghanistan to the U.S. in total. A senior administration official said the funding would be used to help bring 65,000 people by the end of September, and an additional 30,000 people over the course of one year. The Department of Defense (DOD) has been preparing for up to 30,000 Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants to be housed at U.S. Army bases such as Fort McCoy in Wisconsin and Fort Bliss in Texas. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is responsible for security and health screenings in order to vet the incoming refugees. The White House informed governors and mayors Wednesday that the first group of refugees — numbered at around 37,000 — are expected to be resettled in the coming weeks. California will receive the largest number at around 5,300 refugees, and Texas will receive the next largest number at around 4,500… (Excerpts from the Daily Caller)
California, District of Columbia, Nebraska | September 7, 2021
Congressman: At Least 500 Americans Stranded in Afghanistan, Contradicting White House Estimates
California, District of Columbia, Nebraska | September 7, 2021
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), whose office has been working to evacuate two elderly U.S. citizens from Afghanistan, said it’s likely that about 500 Americans remain stranded in the country, a figure that’s at odds with estimates provided by White House officials.
“Unless we continue and get the rest of our American citizens, and all those otherwise eligible out, we won’t have done our job,” Issa told The Associated Press (AP), confirming the number.
When including the family members of U.S. citizens, Issa said the number of people stranded in Afghanistan could be as high as 1,000.
Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) stated to the news agency that the Biden administration needs to provide the full number of those left behind in the South Asian nation… (Excerpts from the Epoch Times)
California, International | August 31, 2021
I-TEAM EXCLUSIVE: 3-year-old California boy stranded in Afghanistan
California, International | August 31, 2021
The US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan has stranded between 100 and 200 American citizens who want to return to the states. One of them – a young boy born near Sacramento. I-Team reporter Dan Noyes has an exclusive, frightening story about what lies ahead for the child and his family.
This three-year-old boy was born near Sacramento; his passport shows he is a US citizen, and he’s going through a harrowing ordeal right now, unable to escape Afghanistan. We’re hiding his identity and that of his father, a social worker, and other family members who are all US permanent residents, for fear of them being captured by the Taliban.
James Brown, Veterans Advocate, told the I-Team, “I received a call Sunday morning at about 6 a.m. from a friend of mine who’s an active duty Marine Corps officer stationed overseas, and he basically felt like his hands were tied and he needed some help getting this family out.”
James Brown is a veterans advocate who’s been working since Sunday morning to get the family safe passage through the Kabul airport to the states. He contacted Representative Jackie Speier and her staff, who jumped into action.
“They’ve also made numerous phone calls to the White House, to the Secretary of Defense’s Office, and to the Secretary of State’s office escalating this family’s case all the way to the top for us.”
Speier wrote a letter To Whom It May Concern, “I believe it is of particular and urgent concern that these individuals be allowed to pass through the gate and be given safe refuge at Hamid Karzai International Airport … so that they might be available for departure.”
Armed with that letter, the boy, his father and several other family members approached the airport, but the Taliban attacked.
Brown said, “And they were stopped by a Taliban checkpoint, and they received physical beatings at the gate and they were pushed back where they had to flee and return to a safe house.”… (Excerpts from KGO ABC)
Arizona, Arkansas, California, District of Columbia | August 31, 2021
House GOP urges Dems to delay $3.5T spending package amid domestic, foreign woes . . .
Arizona, Arkansas, California, District of Columbia | August 31, 2021
House Republicans urged Democrats on Tuesday to postpone consideration of President Biden’s $3.5 trillion expansion of America’s social safety net, arguing that Congress instead should address the nation’s mounting foreign and domestic woes. Rep. Bruce Westerman of Arkansas, the top Republican on the House Natural Resources Committee, said Democratic leaders were putting the spending package above the interests of the country. Mr. Westerman made the argument in a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat, and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Raúl Grijalva of Arizona…(Excerpts from the Washington Times)