As the situation in Afghanistan continues to evolve, the need for humanitarian assistance for our Afghan allies left behind has never been more critical. Many individuals who risked their lives to support the U.S. mission in Afghanistan are now facing grave threats from the Taliban. One concrete way to address this issue is to advocate for an increase in Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for Afghan allies. This urgent plea extends to the citizens of California, urging them to contact their local House of Representatives members to amplify the call for action.
The Special Immigrant Visa program was designed to provide a pathway to safety for individuals who served alongside U.S. forces in Afghanistan and are now at risk due to their association with the American mission. Unfortunately, the current quota of SIVs falls short of addressing the growing demand, leaving countless Afghan allies stranded in a perilous situation.
How to Take Action:
California residents can play a crucial role in influencing policy decisions by contacting their local House of Representatives members. It is essential to express support for legislative efforts to increase the allocation of SIVs, emphasizing the moral obligation to protect those who stood with us in times of need.
In your communication, consider sharing personal stories or anecdotes that highlight the bravery and sacrifice of Afghan allies. Humanizing the issue can help lawmakers better understand the urgency and necessity of increasing SIV.
1st | LaMalfa, Doug | R | 408 CHOB | (202) 225-3076 | Agriculture|Natural Resources|Transportation and Infrastructure |
2nd | Huffman, Jared | D | 2445 RHOB | (202) 225-5161 | Natural Resources|Transportation and Infrastructure |
3rd | Kiley, Kevin | R | 1032 LHOB | (202) 225-2523 | Education and the Workforce|Judiciary |
4th | Thompson, Mike | D | 268 CHOB | (202) 225-3311 | Ways and Means |
5th | McClintock, Tom | R | 2256 RHOB | (202) 225-2511 | Budget|Natural Resources|Judiciary |
6th | Bera, Ami | D | 172 CHOB | (202) 225-5716 | Foreign Affairs|Intelligence|Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic |
7th | Matsui, Doris | D | 2311 RHOB | (202) 225-7163 | Energy and Commerce |
8th | Garamendi, John | D | 2004 RHOB | (202) 225-1880 | Armed Services|Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Fed Govt|Transportation and Infrastructure |
9th | Harder, Josh | D | 209 CHOB | (202) 225-4540 | Appropriations |
10th | DeSaulnier, Mark | D | 503 CHOB | (202) 225-2095 | Education and the Workforce|Transportation and Infrastructure|Ethics |
11th | Pelosi, Nancy | D | 1236 LHOB | (202) 225-4965 | |
12th | Lee, Barbara | D | 2470 RHOB | (202) 225-2661 | Appropriations|Budget |
13th | Duarte, John | R | 1535 LHOB | (202) 225-1947 | Agriculture|Natural Resources|Transportation and Infrastructure |
14th | Swalwell, Eric | D | 174 CHOB | (202) 225-5065 | Homeland Security|Judiciary |
15th | Mullin, Kevin | D | 1404 LHOB | (202) 225-3531 | Natural Resources|Science, Space, and Technology |
16th | Eshoo, Anna | D | 272 CHOB | (202) 225-8104 | Energy and Commerce |
17th | Khanna, Ro | D | 306 CHOB | (202) 225-2631 | Armed Services|Oversight and Accountability|Select Comm on the Strategic Competition US and China |
18th | Lofgren, Zoe | D | 1401 LHOB | (202) 225-3072 | Judiciary|Science, Space, and Technology |
19th | Panetta, Jimmy | D | 304 CHOB | (202) 225-2861 | Armed Services|Budget|Ways and Means |
20th | McCarthy, Kevin– Vacancy | R | 2468 RHOB | (202) 225-2915 | |
21st | Costa, Jim | D | 2081 RHOB | (202) 225-3341 | Agriculture|Foreign Affairs |
22nd | Valadao, David | R | 2465 RHOB | (202) 225-4695 | Appropriations|Budget |
23rd | Obernolte, Jay | R | 1029 LHOB | (202) 225-5861 | Energy and Commerce|Science, Space, and Technology |
24th | Carbajal, Salud | D | 2331 RHOB | (202) 225-3601 | Agriculture|Armed Services|Transportation and Infrastructure |
25th | Ruiz, Raul | D | 2342 RHOB | (202) 225-5330 | Energy and Commerce|Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic |
26th | Brownley, Julia | D | 2262 RHOB | (202) 225-5811 | Transportation and Infrastructure|Veterans’ Affairs |
27th | Garcia, Mike | R | 144 CHOB | (202) 225-1956 | Appropriations|Intelligence|Science, Space, and Technology |
28th | Chu, Judy | D | 2423 RHOB | (202) 225-5464 | Small Business|Ways and Means |
29th | Cardenas, Tony | D | 2181 RHOB | (202) 225-6131 | Energy and Commerce |
30th | Schiff, Adam | D | 2309 RHOB | (202) 225-4176 | Judiciary |
31st | Napolitano, Grace | D | 1610 LHOB | (202) 225-5256 | Natural Resources|Transportation and Infrastructure |
32nd | Sherman, Brad | D | 2365 RHOB | (202) 225-5911 | Financial Services|Foreign Affairs |
33rd | Aguilar, Pete | D | 108 CHOB | (202) 225-3201 | Appropriations |
34th | Gomez, Jimmy | D | 506 CHOB | (202) 225-6235 | Intelligence|Ways and Means |
35th | Torres, Norma | D | 2227 RHOB | (202) 225-6161 | Appropriations|House Administration |
36th | Lieu, Ted | D | 2454 RHOB | (202) 225-3976 | Foreign Affairs|Judiciary |
37th | Kamlager-Dove, Sydney | D | 1419 LHOB | (202) 225-7084 | Foreign Affairs|Natural Resources |
38th | Sanchez, Linda | D | 2428 RHOB | (202) 225-6676 | Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Fed Govt|Ways and Means |
39th | Takano, Mark | D | 2078 RHOB | (202) 225-2305 | Education and the Workforce|Veterans’ Affairs |
40th | Kim, Young | R | 1306 LHOB | (202) 225-4111 | Financial Services|Foreign Affairs |
41st | Calvert, Ken | R | 2205 RHOB | (202) 225-1986 | Appropriations |
42nd | Garcia, Robert | D | 1305 LHOB | (202) 225-7924 | Oversight and Accountability|Homeland Security|Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic |
43rd | Waters, Maxine | D | 2221 RHOB | (202) 225-2201 | Financial Services |
44th | Barragan, Nanette | D | 2312 RHOB | (202) 225-8220 | Energy and Commerce |
45th | Steel, Michelle | R | 1127 LHOB | (202) 225-2415 | Education and the Workforce|Ways and Means|Select Comm on the Strategic Competition US and China |
46th | Correa, J. | D | 2301 RHOB | (202) 225-2965 | Homeland Security|Judiciary |
47th | Porter, Katie | D | 1233 LHOB | (202) 225-5611 | Oversight and Accountability|Natural Resources |
48th | Issa, Darrell | R | 2108 RHOB | (202) 225-5672 | Foreign Affairs|Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Fed Govt|Judiciary|Science, Space, and Technology |
49th | Levin, Mike | D | 2352 RHOB | (202) 225-3906 | Natural Resources|Veterans’ Affairs |
50th | Peters, Scott | D | 1201 LHOB | (202) 225-0508 | Budget|Energy and Commerce |
51st | Jacobs, Sara | D | 1314 LHOB | (202) 225-2040 | Armed Services|Foreign Affairs |
52nd | Vargas, Juan | D | 2334 RHOB | (202) 225-8045 | Financial Services |
By contacting California’s House of Representatives members, residents can make a tangible impact on the lives of Afghan allies left behind. It is crucial to emphasize the moral imperative of increasing SIV quotas, ensuring that those who risked everything for a common cause are not abandoned in their time of need. Together, Californians can be a powerful force for positive change in the lives of these courageous individuals.