No One Left Behind

Last week, No One Left Behind joined 20 leading civil society groups in urging the Biden Administration to protect our Iraqi, Syrian, and local allies during any future withdrawal of U.S. or international forces from the region. Three days later, Reuters broke the news that the United States and Iraq have reached an understanding on plans for the withdrawal of U.S.-led coalition forces from Iraq by the end of 2026. The withdrawal framework still requires final go-aheads and a formal announcement. However, as the planning proceeds, it is increasingly urgent that the U.S. government address the risks to the brave Iraqi, Syrian and other local nationals who were employed by or on behalf of America at great personal risk. Stay up to date on this work and join us in advocating for our allies as a Partner in the Promise here: https://lnkd.in/eb6bs4Qd https://lnkd.in/esQKYPyq

Though 23 years have gone by, the events of September 11, 2001 still feel as if they happened just yesterday. In a matter of minutes, our country, and seemingly the world, changed forever. As the years pass, we remain steadfast in honoring the 2,977 lives lost that day and the Americans, Afghans and Iraqis who have since perished in pursuit of freedom, security and peace.

As a veteran-led organization, No One Left Behind is proud of the outstanding work veterans across the United States are doing to keep America’s promise to our Afghan allies. We are excited to share that there is now support for veterans and active duty service members working to sponsor their interpreter’s transition to life in the United States. The Veterans Sponsor Fund will help cover the fundraising costs for eligible sponsor teams working to support an Afghan ally they know in the transition to life in a new community. Funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis until fully allocated. For more information or to get involved, please complete our interest form here: https://lnkd.in/eUMQ7qRE Welcome.US

Today, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Majority and Minority released reports on the Committee’s investigation into the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. It is critical for the U.S. government to learn from both the failures and successes of the withdrawal. An engaged process to understand those lessons and implement real policy solutions is not only appropriate but lifesaving. We are encouraged that the recommendations include priority measures to support our wartime allies. Specifically, these measures ensure there are sufficient Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) to relocate all Afghans who risked their lives fighting alongside the U.S. military while modernizing the processes for vetting and relocating vulnerable Afghan allies. Additionally, the recommendations call for working in a bipartisan, bicameral manner to find a humane solution for all Afghans, including those already in the United States, who have a legitimate fear of persecution by the Taliban. Your voice is key in turning these recommendations into action. Call your member of Congress today to ask them to cosponsor the Afghan Allies Protection Act and the Afghan Adjustment Act, both of which include vital provisions needed to fulfill America's promise. TAKE ACTION: https://lnkd.in/eZEkweu

Rebecca Santana's recent piece on the aftermath of the United States' withdrawal from Afghanistan and its impact on our allies gives insight to the moral obligation felt by so many, including No One Left Behind's Vice Chairman, Mariah Smith. READ: https://lnkd.in/gBgD58vR

As conditions may force the U.S. to reduce troop levels or conduct a total withdrawal of forces from Iraq and Syria, it is critical that we keep the promise to our allies who served the U.S. mission at great personal risk. Today, No One Left Behind is joining 20 leading civil society organizations in calling on the Biden Administration to address the risks faced by our Iraqi, Syrian and other local national allies employed by or on behalf of the United States in the planning of any potential future withdrawal of U.S. or international forces from Iraq and Syria. Read the full letter and stay up to date on this work and join us in advocating for our allies as a Partner in the Promise here: https://lnkd.in/eb6bs4Qd Afghan Evacuation and Resettlement Lawyers (AERL) The Afghan-American Foundation Allied Shepherd The American Legion Association of Wartime Allies CAIR Washington The Chamberlain Network Common Defense Conklin Immigration Law LLC Global Refuge Human Rights First International Refugee Assistance Project Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area Moral Compass Federation No One Left Behind Refugee Congress Special Forces Association Special Operations Association of America Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) With Honor

On this day, three years ago, tail ramps to the last U.S. planes went up and the final American troops departed Afghanistan. While this marked the end of a chapter, it did not finish the story. As it now stands, the battle continues for nearly 140,000 of our Afghan allies. In addition to their unimaginable suffering at the hands of a brutal Taliban regime, our veterans carry the burden of an unfulfilled promise. Today, we pause to reflect on the significance of this day, and the duty we have to continue carrying out No One Left Behind's mission of keeping our nation's promise to each loyal ally still waiting. In doing so, we invite you to join us in our work by becoming a donor or volunteer today: https://www.nooneleft.org/ Photo: Laura Rauch | Stars and Stripes

Honoring America's promise not only means bringing our allies to safety, it means standing by them once they begin their new lives here in the United States. In the month of July, your support aided and empowered more than 100 newly arrived allies through No One Left Behind's innovative resettlement programs. GET INVOLVED: https://lnkd.in/ewwAZCEd

Amina recalls growing up in a close-knit community rich with culture and fond family memories in Afghanistan. As years passed, she realized the place she called home was filled with harsh realities of conflict and uncertainty. Those experiences fueled a desire in her heart to stand alongside Americans in her home country in hopes of creating a better environment. In 2018, Amina joined the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Women in Government project. She saw the role as an opportunity to further her mission of empowering Afghan women to step into leadership roles within their government. “What motivated me to work with them [Americans] was their service in Afghanistan, as they were trying to help us recognize the freedom that is our right," Amina reflects. "This inspired me, as an Afghan girl, to play my part and try to involve myself in the processes meant for us.” During her time on the job, the conditions in Afghanistan continued to worsen, forcing her to realize her dreams and safety were at risk. The country she once loved, became a place of violence, especially for women seeking justice like herself. She had a choice: stay while knowing she would be hunted or escape to safety and leave her family behind. Traveling as a single female presented its own set of difficulties, but she knew it had to be done. Her life was on the line. No One Left Behind answered the call for help. From moving her throughout the evacuation process with extreme caution and care to ensuring her safe arrival in the United States in late July 2024, our network of volunteers and donors brought Amina’s hard-earned promise to life. Like most allies do, she’s faced a number of challenges since her arrival to the United States. The hardest, she admits, is adapting to a new way of life without any family members or friends by her side. Her attitude of bravery, optimism and perseverance prevail day after day as she refuses to allow herself to get overwhelmed. She has her sights set on securing a job, improving her English and pursuing higher education while building a new support network within her American community. While overwhelmingly grateful for all that No One Left Behind has done for her, she says she’d regret not sharing one final word: “I want to highlight the plight of thousands of girls in Afghanistan who are without a future. They are deprived of even basic education, and poverty exacerbates their situation.” Join us in serving allies like Amina: https://lnkd.in/gC62FCTW

This morning, time stands still as we pause to reflect on a tragedy that forever changed countless lives and an entire nation. Although three years have passed since the Abbey Gate attack at Kabul Airport, the memory of that day remains deeply etched in our hearts. We honor the 13 U.S. service members who bravely sacrificed their lives, and we also mourn the nearly 170 Afghans who lost theirs in pursuit of safety and a brighter future. This day reinforces the significance of our mission. It reminds us of our moral obligation to the 140,000 allies still waiting in Afghanistan and those who are working to navigate their new lives in America. No One Left Behind's commitment to this work remains unwavering until every last promise is fulfilled. INVEST IN OUR PROMISE: https://lnkd.in/gC62FCTW Photo: Kansas Reflector | Getty Images