Moulton Statement on Removal of Special Immigrant Visa Provisions from NDAA

Washington, D.C.— Congressman Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) issued the following statement in response to many provisions related to the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program being stripped from the National Defense Authorization Act. Special Immigrant Visas are available to individuals who have worked as translators, interpreters, or other professionals employed by or on behalf of the United States government in Afghanistan or Iraq.

“The Senate-negotiated NDAA fails our Afghan allies on many levels. By removing a provision to extend the Special Immigrant Visa program, as well as my bipartisan provision that would offer better protection of our wounded Afghan allies, we are sending the message that we actually don’t keep our promises. Other important provisions have also been removed that serve to further undermine this program. For decades to come, our young troops will be asked, “Why should we trust you?” when they ask our allies for help, just as I had to ask Iraqis to risk their lives for my Marines. It is beyond me why some of my colleagues—who have never even known what it is like to put their lives in the hands of these brave allies in combat-–would deliberately strip reauthorization for this program. It represents the worst, most nativist undercurrents in our society and is not what America should strive to be. I will vote for the NDAA today because it is far too important for our country’s national security not to pass—and there are too many positive provisions to put at risk. But this is deeply wrong. I will be working hard with many other colleagues who do support our allies to find a workable resolution.”

####