Congressman Greg Stanton issued an update on what his team is doing to help evacuate U.S. citizens trying to leave Afghanistan. They are also helping Afghan citizens who assisted Americans over the last two decades. The Associated Press reported that as many as 1,500 Americans may be awaiting evacuation from Afghanistan.
According to a press release, Stanton’s office has worked around the clock with the State Department to evacuate people from the Hamid Karzai Airport in Kabul. They are also helping those people navigate the visa process.
Stanton wrote, “I’m also happy to report that all remaining members of the elite Female Tactical Platoon––a group of Afghan women who supported U.S. Special Forces on dangerous missions in Afghanistan––have either safely evacuated from Kabul or are at the airport awaiting evacuation. Our office has been working with Arizonans with special ties to this group for months to make sure they would have access to the visas necessary to enter the United States.
“There’s no easy way to say it––the evacuation of our citizens and allies from Afghanistan started off poorly. But I’m proud that over the last 12 days, the men and women of our Armed Forces have evacuated nearly 100,000 people in tough and dangerous circumstances. They deserve our enduring gratitude.”
Last week, Stanton posted on Twitter, “My office is focused on assisting any constituents who are seeking evacuation of colleagues and loved ones from Afghanistan. Right now, though, it must be the highest priority of our government to evacuate the many Afghan interpreters, Female Tactical Platoon members and many others who supported our military in an effort to build a better future for their country.”
