ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) — Gov. Larry Hogan on Monday said Maryland is “ready and willing” to accept more Afghan refugees as U.S. forces withdraw from the country and the Taliban retakes control.
The state is already expected to receive at least 180 refugees from Afghanistan through a program called “Operation Allies Refuge,” which provides Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for Afghan and Iraqi nationals who helped U.S. operations as interpreters, security officers, drivers and in other roles.
READ MORE: Baltimore City Council To Call For Hogan To Reinstate Eviction MoratoriumREAD MORE: Archdiocese of Baltimore Leaves School Mask Policy Up To Parents, Jurisdictions In Low Transmission AreasToday, I am announcing Maryland’s commitment to receive more Afghan interpreters who have contributed to U.S. efforts in Afghanistan. Many of these Afghan citizens—our allies—bravely risked their lives to support our efforts, and we have a moral obligation to help them. pic.twitter.com/1B89nxz3Bi
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) August 16, 2021
“Many of these Afghan citizens—our allies—bravely risked their lives to provide invaluable support for many years to our efforts as interpreters and support staff, and we have a moral obligation to help them,” said Governor Hogan. “Maryland receives more of these SIV’s than nearly any other state, and we stand ready and willing to receive more. It is the least we can do.”
Maryland ranks fourth in the nation for SIV arrivals, Hogan’s office said.
Hogan also criticized the country’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, calling the pull-out “rushed and irresponsible.”
MORE NEWS: Maryland Athletics Announces New Covid-19 Guidelines For Fall Season“The chaotic and heartbreaking scenes out of Afghanistan over the last several days—with innocent civilians running for their lives in fear of the Taliban—is the result of a rushed and irresponsible withdrawal,” he said.
"accept" - Google News
August 17, 2021 at 01:03AM
https://ift.tt/3mmZpKP
Hogan Says MD Is “Ready And Willing” To Accept More Afghan Refugees - CBS Baltimore
"accept" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2YsXkRf
https://ift.tt/3d2Wjnc
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Hogan Says MD Is “Ready And Willing” To Accept More Afghan Refugees - CBS Baltimore"
Post a Comment