Congressman Kaialiʻi Kahele (HI-02) with Afghan childrenat Upshur Village in Marine Corps Base Quantico
Today, Congressman Kaialiʻi Kahele (HI-02) visited Marine Corps Base (MCB) Quantico in Virginia as part of the For Country Caucus oversight group for Operation Allies Welcome – a mission to support the relocations of vulnerable Afghan who worked alongside the United States in Afghanistan for the last two decades. The For Country Caucus is a bipartisan group of Members of Congress with military service backgrounds. Click here to watch a compilation video of Rep. Kahele’s visit to Upshur Village.
Kahele, a current and active member of the Hawaiʻi Air National Guard, applauded the mission and the MCB Quantico personnel on the ground who are servicing over 3,700 vulnerable Afghans currently residing at Upshur Village located in MCB Quantico.
“As we have done many times before, the United States stands as a beacon of hope for those fleeing danger and seeking a new home,” said Congressman Kahele. “The relocation of Afghan nationals who stood shoulder to shoulder with U.S. troops and their families remains a top priority for myself and fellow members of the For Country Caucus. I commend the efforts of the MCB Quantico personnel, who are aiding thousands of vulnerable Afghans as they start a new beginning for themselves and their families.”
Since Operation Allies Welcome commenced on August 29, 2021, thousands of vulnerable Afghans have arrived at U.S. military facilities across the country to receive screening, vetting, medical care and immigration processing. At Upshur Village, Congressman Kahele and the Caucus were briefed by the operation’s commanding officers. As of September 24, 2021:
- 3,711 vulnerable Afghans are lodged at Upshur Village;
- over 1,100 are children under the age of 16;
- all eligible vulnerable Afghans have been fully vaccinated;
- each week, 350 Afghans are being processed for resettlement in the United States
Congressman Kahele is a cosponsor of the WELCOMED Act (Welcoming Evacuees Coming from Overseas to Mitigate Effects of Displacement) which will provideAfghan refugees to be eligible for the same government benefits that other refugees have traditionally received.