The Lawfare Podcast Lawfare Archive: The Potential for an Afghan Adjustment Act
Oct 19, 2025
Shala Gafary, Managing Attorney at Human Rights First, and Jennifer Quigley, Senior Director of Government Affairs, discuss the challenges Afghan evacuees face as they seek permanent citizenship in the U.S. They highlight the uncertainty surrounding thousands of pending asylum applications and the impact of losing immigration status. The conversation also explores the proposed Afghan Adjustment Act, its previous failures, and potential strategies for passage this year, shedding light on the urgent need for legislative solutions and continued advocacy.
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Large Evacuation, Lingering Legal Backlog
- About 80,000 Afghans were evacuated in 2021 and many still lack permanent pathways in the U.S..
- USCIS reported 14,000 pending Afghan asylum cases plus 12,400 green card filings as of this discussion.
Expired Parole Created Status Gaps
- Many evacuees' initial parole authorizations expired and some received automatic re-parole while others fell through the cracks.
- Over 19,000 evacuees had not applied for any immigration benefit and risked losing lawful status.
Act Quickly To Maintain Legal Status
- File for re-parole or primary immigration benefits promptly to avoid lapses in status and work authorization.
- Seek legal assistance early, since many evacuees face language, access, and resource barriers.