Task Force Argo

Do not be misled. No visas are being issued for Afghan nationals or citizens of other travel‑banned countries at this time. The State Department’s recent SIV report to Congress identified 5,970 SIV numbers reserved for future principal applicants. However, unless a National Interest Exemption is granted, every completed visa interview will result in an automatic denial under the 2025 presidential proclamations that mandate refusal of entry and visa issuance. Please consult an immigration lawyer if you require more information on a National Interest Exemption. State Department Report: state.gov/wp-content/upl… Presidential Proclamation: whitehouse.gov/presidential-a… #TaskForceArgo #VisaInterviewsResultInDenials

Please review the link provided if you are in need of a Pro Bono Immigration Attorney. The Department of Justice resource was last updated March 16, 2026. justice.gov/.../list-pro-b…... #TaskForceArgo

Green‑card delays do not protect anyone. They destabilize families, drain local economies, and trap people who have followed every rule. Timely processing is not a luxury; it is a responsibility. Right now, nationals from 39 countries face a blanket freeze on green‑card adjudication, stretching an already 12 to 24‑month wait into an open‑ended limbo. Across the country, immigrants who have paid every fee, submitted every document, and passed every background check find themselves in a legal purgatory. They cannot travel to reunite with family, accept promotions, change jobs without risking their status, or even obtain a driver’s license in states that require proof of lawful presence. A delay is never neutral; it hardens into a barrier, a slow‑moving illness that steals time. For families, the consequences cut even deeper. Children grow up watching their parents navigate a system that treats them as temporary, even after years of contributing to their communities. Economically, the damage is measurable: employers lose talent, communities lose tax revenue, and families lose income. A delayed green card is not just a personal hardship; it drags on the American economy and spreads like an epidemic of systemic blockages, a spreading affliction that only action can cure, restoring stability and hope. The deepest wound is psychological. Living in uncertainty erodes a person’s sense of belonging. It sends a message that no matter how hard you work or how long you wait, your future can be paused indefinitely. That message contradicts the values America claims to uphold: fairness, dignity, and the belief that those who contribute deserve a chance to thrive. And the cure for increased scrutiny is not paralysis. It is precision. A process strengthened, not stalled. Bravo to Judge George L. Russell, who on April 27, 2026, ruled that USCIS does not have discretion to decide not to adjudicate at all. May the 83 plaintiffs in this lawsuit be the guiding light for all other immigrants who are suffering and in need of a class-action lawsuit to restart green card processing and their lives. #TaskForceArgo #GreenCards #GreenCardDelays #AdjudicateNotPause #CureTheBacklog #StabilityIsTheCure #EndLegalLimbo #SecurityThroughProcess

USCIS released the following today: DHS Announces Consequences for Unpaid Annual Asylum Fees The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is announcing an interim final rule to implement immigration fees and requirements from the H.R. 1 Reconciliation Act of 2025 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). H.R. 1 created new fees to increase funding for immigration enforcement operations and ensure aliens pay for immigration services. On July 22, 2025, USCIS published a Federal Register notice implementing a filing fee for Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, and an Annual Asylum Fee (AAF) to be paid each calendar year an asylum application remains pending. Annual Asylum Fee In an effort to satisfy the statutory mandate that DHS require payment of the AAF, the interim final rule establishes that if an alien does not pay the AAF within 30 days of notification, USCIS will reject their pending asylum application. If an alien does not have legal status in the U.S., USCIS will also initiate the alien’s removal. If USCIS rejects an alien’s asylum application: -USCIS will deny any pending Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, based on the asylum application; and -Aliens who were approved to work based on the pending application will lose work authorization immediately. Additional Updates This rule also implements additional requirements outlined in H.R. 1: Form I-589 filing fee: USCIS will now keep the filing fee for Form I-589 if the agency rejects the form as improperly filed. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) employment authorization: USCIS is updating regulations limiting the employment authorization period for those under TPS to one year or the remaining TPS designation period, whichever is shorter. Form I-102, Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document, filing fee: The rule establishes a minimum $24 fee to file Form I-102, in addition to other required fees. The interim final rule is effective May 29, 2026. USCIS will reject any Form I-102 without the proper filing fee if it is postmarked on or after May 29, 2026. Additionally, USCIS will reject pending Form I-589 asylum applications for aliens who fail to pay the AAF effective May 29, 2026. DHS will receive public comments submitted on or before June 29, 2026. ***Please consult an immigration lawyer.*** #AfghanAllies #TaskForceArgo #AsylumLaw #AnnualAsylumFee #ImmigrationUpdate #StayInformed #Asylum #AsylumIsLawful #HumanRight #AsylumBecameLaw1951RefugeeConvention

If you live in Northern Virginia and are new to America then contact Global Refuge. Thier doors are open for your questions. Located at 6521 Arlington Blvd. Suite 400, Falls Church, VA 22024. Global Refugee is a national refugee resettlement and immigration services organization. globalrefuge.org

Nonprofit work is challenging. An anonymous donor advised fund at The Chicago Community Foundation just made it a little easier. Thank you to the anonymous donor! This means so much to so many! #kindness #compassion #thankyou

🌟 April honors the Month of the Military Child 🌟 You have learned resilience in ways most children never have to. You have packed up homes, started over in new towns, and waited through long deployments. You have carried the weight of worry with a courage far beyond your years. You served quietly, but still, this service is VERY real. This month, we also hold close the children of our allies, whose courage often goes unseen but never unfelt. You grew up in the long shadow of service, where households have been shaped by duty, sacrifice, and the hope of a safer future. Your parents stood beside Americans in moments of danger and uncertainty, and you have carried that legacy with a strength beyond your years. You have shown resilience in new countries, new languages, and new beginnings. However, today, many of you remain behind in Afghanistan and face the consequences of serving alongside America. You are not forgotten. Every military child reminds us that service is never carried by one person alone... it is carried by families, by communities, and by children who learn to be brave far too early. We honor all of you. Resources: 1) Sesame Street for Military Families: sesamestreetformilitaryfamilies.org 2) Military OneSource: militaryonesource.mil #TaskForceArgo #MilitaryChild #MonthOfTheMilitaryChild #MilitaryLife #MilitaryFamily #KidsServeToo #GrowingUpMilitary #WeHonorYou

Dear America, The collapse of the former government and the rise of the Taliban brought immense hardship for many of us. When this happened, many countries sent planes to evacuate their personnel and even some interpreters who had been previously blacklisted were evacuated. However, we were left behind despite having complete and genuine documentation proving our honorable and faithful service to America. Now we face the risk of retaliation by the Taliban. One of the most serious issues is that those who worked with American forces may have their biometric data identified by the Taliban, which puts us in constant danger. We are in a situation where we cannot safely work, we have no security, many of us still in hiding, and we have no clear path to leave. No one wishes to depend on others for help or charity, but circumstances have forced us into this position. We are deeply grateful to those who have supported us. May your kindness bring blessings to your lives. Your help has been the reason we are still alive today. Without it, I might have already lost hope in life. At the same time, it is very painful when some people respond with humiliation or call us beggars when we ask for assistance. Before all this, I had a stable and dignified life. I had a job, a car, a home, and I helped those in need. We lost everything in the space between one heartbeat and the next, and the danger that followed left us choosing between escape or hiding in the unseen corners of the world. Life here has become extremely difficult. There is no proper access to education, no work opportunities, no security, and no food. Only threats, fear, and the constant risk of violence. Much of what is shown in the media does not reflect reality; perhaps only a small part is accurate. We are living this every day. The situation has become so severe that some families are forced to make unimaginable choices just to survive, including selling one child to feed others. This is the level of desperation people are facing. We are exhausted and do not know how long we can continue like this. All we ask is for understanding, dignity, and support during this incredibly difficult time. With gratitude for being seen and heard, An Afghan ally (in the blue) ***** The message above was placed in our inbox, and it mirrors so many others we receive. Each one is a reminder that the need has not passed. Families who lost everything still reach out in fear, in hope, and in the quiet belief that someone, somewhere, might help them survive what comes next. These messages are not stories from the past. They are the daily reality for people who are still in hiding, still fleeing, still trying to rebuild a life after everything was stripped away. This is why our mission cannot end, and your support is what allows us to keep answering these cries for help with action instead of silence. Please visit Task Force Argo to learn more: taskforceargo.org #AfghanAllies #TaskForceArgo

U.S. taxes are due to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by or on April 15th. IRS uses terms such as "resident" and "nonresident." If you are new to America, then please visit this IRS website to learn why tax residency is not determined by immigration status. Anyone who earns income connected to the United States is subject to taxation. Why is this important? Filing taxes is essential for immigrants because IRS compliance helps demonstrate good moral character, financial responsibility, and continuous presence. Any of which can affect green cards, visa renewals, sponsorships, or naturalization if taxes are missing or unpaid. To learn more, visit this IRS website: irs.gov/individuals/in… To receive assistance with tax debt, visit this IRS website: irs.gov/payments/get-h…

Sharing your immigrant story with confidence isn’t just a communication skill; it’s a form of power, protection, and belonging. For someone newly arrived in the United States, mastering your voice can shape how you navigate opportunities, advocate for yourself, and build community. @WeaveTales and Refugee Congress will begin the New American Speakers’ Program Cohort 10 soon. Applications are due by April 17, 2026. This is for New Americans from across the country to apply to a 10-week online program designed to help participants become confident public speakers and storytellers. We hope to have some Afghan allies join this cohort and inspire others with their stories. It would be an honor to share it across our social media pages as well. Good luck to all applicants. Speaking your story out loud is grounding and can be the bridge to a new opportunity. weavetales.org/new-american-s… #AfghanAllies #TaskForceArgo #Storytelling #WeaveTales #RefugeeCongress

Do you know who "Alma" is? "Alma is a free, friendly virtual assistant created by the @RESCUEorg International Rescue Committee to help you get reliable answers as you begin your life in the United States. What Alma Can Help You With -Public Benefits and Social Services -Employment and Workforce Integration -Financial Literacy and Housing Counseling -Rights and Responsibilities -Client Documentation -Local Services Alma is fluent in Dari/Farsi, English, Spanish, and Swahili." Thank you, IRC! What an incredible resource. Please visit IRC's website to learn more: welcome.rescue.org/us/en/services… #AfghanAllies #TaskForceArgo #IRC #resettlement #Alma

We’re honored to share our 2025 Annual Impact Report, a testament to resilience, dignity, and community. Among the programs highlighted this past year is our Afghan allies' food program, a lifeline that delivers life‑sustaining nourishment to Afghan families who would otherwise go without. Every meal, every parcel, every moment of relief exists because people like you chose to stand with them. Today, we have an extraordinary opportunity to help Afghan allies left behind! A committed donor has stepped forward with a $10,000 matching challenge to sustain this lifeline. If we can match it together, twice as many families will receive the food support they depend on. Currently, Task Force Argo is feeding 635 individuals whose American sponsors, mostly U.S. veterans, remain deeply committed but cannot shoulder the monthly food costs alone. Our team has stepped in to carry that weight. Your gift today will be doubled to put food directly into the hands of Afghan allies who are struggling to survive. Help us unlock the full match and strengthen this vital anchor of essential support until these families can reintegrate safely back into society, find safety in a 3rd country, or have their U.S. immigration application resume processing. Read the report. See the impact. Stand with us. canva.link/825cvbqznq06drf From Zeffy to Venmo and Kroger to Microsoft, click here to donate today: taskforceargo.org/donate #TaskForceArgo #AfghanAllies #HumanitarianAid #FoodProgram #StandWithAllies #MatchingGift #10KMatch #DoubleYourImpact #EveryDollarCounts #ThankYou

On March 8, the world celebrates International Women's Day. We must remember the Afghan women whose strength has become a quiet revolution. They are the voices pushed out of classrooms, the hands barred from their own futures, the hearts still carrying a country they cannot freely walk. Yet even in the shadows, their courage refuses to dim. It lives in the mother who teaches her daughter in secret, in the girl who still dreams of books she is forbidden to open, in the women who hold the memory of Afghanistan with a loyalty deeper than any decree. They are not forgotten. They are not silent. They are the unbroken spine of a nation. On this International Women’s Day, we honor Afghan women not only for what they endure, but for the brilliance they continue to protect. For it is their wisdom, their hope, and their unshaken will to rise that teaches the world how courage survives even when freedom is taken. They are Afghanistan's light through every closed door. May the world carry their story forward with the same strength they carry every day. You are not forgotten. #afghanwomen #strength #brillance #internationalwomensday #IWD2026 #standwithafghanwomen #womenofaghanistan #lightinthedarkness #globalsisterhood #womenrightsarehumanrights #together #taskforceargo

You deserve honest answers to these questions we repetitively receive. - Can you help me with my SIV? * No. At this time, no SIVs are being processed for issuance. - Should I attend my SIV interview at the U.S. Embassy? * Due to the proclamation dated Dec 16, 2025, attending your interview will result in a mandatory denial under the INA §212(f), which cannot be appealed, waived, or reversed. - I have Chief of Mission approval. When will I get an SIV? * Afghan SIVs are not being issued. (One must keep their immigration application valid by visiting it once every 365 days.) - Can you help me get to America? * Unfortunately, we do not handle National Interest Exception (NIE) requests, which is the only legal pathway for an Afghan national outside the U.S. to obtain a visa or enter the country. Under the proclamation, humanitarian hardship and SIV eligibility do not override the entry suspension. Consular officers are legally required to deny all visa applications unless a qualifying NIE is granted by the U.S. government. NIEs are extremely limited and require a direct, documented U.S. national interest, not personal hardship. - Why is my case still in administrative processing? *Your case remains in this status because the proclamation currently blocks all visa issuance for Afghan nationals, regardless of case type or stage. Even if your background checks are complete and your case is otherwise approvable, consular officers are legally prohibited from issuing a visa under INA §212(f). - Why did the U.S. Embassy schedule me for an interview? *The interview is simply part of the standard workflow. This is not an indication that the proclamation has been lifted or that your case is eligible for approval. The reality is this - "Effective January 1, 2026, in line with Presidential Proclamation 10998 on “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the U.S.," the Department of State is fully suspending visa issuance to nationals of Afghanistan..." Message found here: travel.state.gov/content/travel… #afghanallies #taskforceargo #SIV

Many of our Afghan allies continue to live in uncertainty, not because of anything they have done, but because of broad travel restrictions that affect entire nationalities. One of our community members shared a message that reflects the heartbreak so many feel. He served alongside Americans with loyalty and courage, believing deeply in the promise of partnership. Today, he remains unable to enter the United States, not because of his character or his service, but because of policies far beyond his control. His story is a reminder that behind every policy are real people. People who stood with us, protected us, and believed in us. Their sacrifices do not disappear because a law changes. Their dignity does not vanish because a border closes. As an organization, we cannot change federal policy, but we can do what we have always done: stand with our allies, honor their service, and advocate for humane, lawful pathways that respect their contributions. To America's Afghan Allies: your courage is seen. Your loyalty is remembered. And your story matters. #afghanallies #taskforceargo