Congressional Republicans Move to Slash Afghan Visa Program

More than 140,000 Afghan war allies remain in limbo as lawmakers push cuts, citing vetting concerns and travel ban revival.

WASHINGTON — More than three years after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, tens of thousands of Afghan allies remain stranded, facing Taliban reprisals at home and an increasingly narrow path to safety in the United States.

The Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program, once a cornerstone of the U.S. promise to wartime partners, is facing significant cuts. A new House appropriations bill, shaped by Republican lawmakers, eliminates a planned expansion of 20,000 visa slots and shortens the program's duration. The move comes as more than 140,000 Afghans remain in the SIV pipeline, with at least 50,000 nearing final approval. Just 10,000 visas are currently available.

Further complicating Afghan prospects is Executive Order 14161, widely interpreted as a modern version of the former administration’s travel ban on Muslim-majority countries. The order could block even fully approved applicants from entering the U.S. legally.