Congress must not abandon female Afghan soldiers who fought alongside us
Unless Congress or the Biden administration acts, U.S-trained female Afghan soldiers who fought alongside U.S. forces in Afghanistan and legally evacuated to the United States will lose their legal status by midyear 2023.
Starting in 2011, U.S. Special Operations forces handpicked women soldiers in the Afghan National Army to work where men could not: question and search women on nighttime and other raids hunting terrorists and the Taliban.
These Afghan women, the Female Tactical Platoon (FTP), part of the Afghan National Army Special Operations Command, went through rigorous screening and training by U.S. Army Rangers and other U.S. agencies. They participated in hundreds of direct-action combat missions against the Taliban with U.S. Special Forces.
As Afghanistan fell to the Taliban in 2021, the Afghan women FTPs weren’t on anyone’s radar to be evacuated. Attention focused on male interpreters and former U.S. government employees. Because FTP identities were known to the Taliban, it was certain that these women would be raped, tortured and killed by the Taliban because of their work alongside the U.S.
They 'laid it all on the line' for us
Thanks to the tireless efforts of U.S. current and former women soldiers in the U.S. Army Cultural Support Team, 39 FTP members were safely and legally evacuated to the United States with “humanitarian parole” status. The U.S. Army’s Female Cultural Support Team (CST) is part of the U.S. Joint Special Operations Command.
Retired U.S. Central Command Commander Army four-star General Joe Votel has said, “These Afghan women stepped forward in a culture that does not always encourage leadership or action by women and laid it all on the line for their fellow citizens and their U.S. allies. This group deserves our support.”
Bravery:Taliban branded him an infidel, so he rolled the dice
On arrival to the United States., FTPs were housed and further vetted on U.S. military bases. They were issued Social Security numbers and now live in communities throughout the country where they have been welcomed with housing assistance, jobs, language classes and Thanksgiving dinners.
But no matter the courage of these Afghan women as they establish new and productive lives in the United States, unless Congress or the administration acts, their “humanitarian parole” status is set to expire in mid-2023.
These women seek no handout. They are getting jobs and starting productive lives. Some want to serve in the U.S. military, and our national security would be enhanced if they were able to do so. They have proven themselves in battle; they know the culture of Central Asia and speak many languages.
Brave women are now stuck in bureaucracy
This small band of pioneering women who gave up everything to serve alongside U.S. forces now live in constant fear and uncertainty.
The Afghan Adjustments Act had specific language providing the FTPs a path to continued legal status. It would open their opportunity to join the U.S. military. Congress recessed without passing the Afghan Adjustment Act. These women are now adrift in a sea of Washington politics, bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo, and a highly politicized and failed immigration system.
Congressional fears about the vetting thousands of Afghan refugees are no doubt relevant in many cases, but not for the Female Tactical Platoon. The Female Tactical Platoon soldiers were thoroughly vetted multiple times, including U.S.-conducted background investigations, biometric examinations and multiple polygraphs.
Failure to recognize this and the value these brave soldiers would be a mistake that could cost us in many ways for many years.
Immigration relief for those who have served alongside the US military in foreign is a well-established tradition in the United States. After Vietnam the U.S. government aided those who served alongside us in combat. But Congress has closed its eyes to these women who sacrificed everything to serve with U.S. forces in America’s longest war.
What a sad commentary on what America has become and what a dangerous message it sends to current and future allies. Congress’ failure to act means the women from the Female Tactical Platoon will be sent to Afghanistan to be raped, tortured and a certain death because of this massive failure by U.S. lawmakers.
Bill Richardson assisted the former members of the US Army Cultural Support Team in the FTP evacuation effort. He served in the Marines and is a retired police detective living in Tempe. Reach him at bill.richardson1@mac.com.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Congress can't abandon female Afghan soldiers who helped U.S. forces
