Opinion articles provide independent perspectives on key community issues, separate from our newsroom reporting.

Guest Commentary

New Afghan neighbors in Kansas City need Congress to give them a permanent solution

By Julie Doane Special to The Star
Church of the Resurrection senior pastor Adam Hamilton, left, and his family are among many in the community who have welcomed people resettled from Afghanistan.
Church of the Resurrection senior pastor Adam Hamilton, left, and his family are among many in the community who have welcomed people resettled from Afghanistan. Submitted photo

Kansas City truly is a welcoming city and I love raising a family here. Serving in the community through our church, Church of Resurrection-United Methodist, and as a board member of Jewish Vocational Service has inspired me to share my view on an important topic.

It has been encouraging to see community volunteers from those organizations, working together alongside other multifaith and community organizations such as Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Della Lamb Community Services and Welcoming KC, to help with the resettlement of our Afghan allies, who we embrace as our new neighbors.

These Afghan families escaped extreme persecution after serving alongside our military to fight terrorism and bring peace to their country. The Kansas City region has welcomed more than 1,000 Afghan new neighbors, while more than 76,000 have resettled throughout our nation. We are honored to support them.

In the rush of evacuation, our new Afghan neighbors were only granted a temporary, two-year stay. For many of them, it will expire in just a few months. If their temporary status ends without a permanent solution, they could be sent back to Afghanistan. The Taliban will surely seek them out and execute them — clearly an unacceptable outcome.

Time is of the essence for Congress to get to work and pass the bipartisan Afghan Adjustment Act, S. 4787/H.R. 8685. This important law would ensure these Afghan allies are provided a permanent status in the U.S., creating certainty for them and their employers.

I am grateful to Missouri’s Sen. Roy Blunt and Rep. Emanuel Cleaver for being co-sponsors of the Afghan Adjustment Act. Along with many others, I appreciate their strong leadership on this critical piece of legislation. Delayed passage of this act would result in continued turmoil for our newest neighbors, forcing families to pursue costly and lengthy legal processes, all the while navigating their transition to life in the United States.

I believe strongly that Congress should address responsible immigration reform policy. However, until that occurs, I ask that we urge our legislators to pass the Afghan Adjustment Act into law now. Its passage is critical to the greater Kansas City region. Learn more at bit.ly/AfghanAdjustment

Julie Doane is a wife and mother, community volunteer, member of Church of the Resurrection and board member of Jewish Vocational Service. She lives in Parkville.

This story was originally published November 18, 2022 at 8:00 AM.

Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER