Psaki coming up after Joe fyi.
Joe give the anons some comms.
SIV Program
Section 1059 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006, authorizes the issuance of up to 50 Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) annually to Iraqi and Afghan translators and interpreters working for the U.S. military and who meet certain requirements. An amendment to Section 1059 expanded the total number of visas to 500 per year for FY 2007 and FY 2008 only. In FY 2009, the number of visas available for this category reverted to 50 annually. As amended, the Act provides for SIV status for eligible Iraqi or Afghan translators and interpreters, who have worked directly with the U.S. Armed Forces or under Chief of Mission (COM) authority at U.S. Embassy Baghdad or U.S. Embassy Kabul. For more information about the relevant U.S. laws, see References - U.S. Laws, numbers 1, 2, and 3.
In addition to the information on this website, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) provides information on Form I-360 petitions for this program.
This program is completely distinct from two other programs authorizing SIVs for certain Iraqi and Afghan nationals who have worked for, or on behalf of, the U.S. government in Iraq or Afghanistan, although some translators and interpreters may qualify under both programs. For information on those programs, see SIVs for Iraqi nationals or SIVs for Afghan nationals.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/siv-iraqi-afghan-translators-interpreters
Special Immigrant Visas for Afghans - Who Were Employed by/on Behalf of the U.S. Government
Afghan SIV Program Update
The Emergency Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021, as enacted on July 30, 2021, authorized 8,000 additional Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for Afghan principal applicants, for a total of 34,500 visas allocated since December 19, 2014. The Department of State’s authority to issue SIVs to Afghan nationals under section 602(b) of the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009, as amended, will continue until all visa numbers allocated under the Act are issued.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/special-immg-visa-afghans-employed-us-gov
Who can apply for this program?
You may apply for this program if you meet all of the following requirements:
You must be a national of Iraq or Afghanistan; and
You must have worked directly with the U.S. Armed Forces or under COM authority as a translator or interpreter for a period of at least 12 months; and
You must have obtained a favorable written recommendation from a General or Flag Officer in the chain of command of the U.S. Armed Forces unit that was supported by you, as a translator or interpreter, or from the Chief of Mission from the embassy where you worked.
Specific requirements for each step of the process are detailed below.
Am I eligible for resettlement benefits?
Yes. Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants are eligible for the same resettlement assistance, entitlement programs, and other benefits as refugees admitted under the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, for up to eight (8) months after being admitted to the United States. For more information about the relevant U.S. laws, see References - U.S. Laws, numbers 4, 5, and 6.
If you wish to participate in the U.S. Department of State’s Reception and Placement (R&P) Program, which covers only your first 30-90 days in the United States, you must apply for it before you travel to the United States.
To apply, you must return scanned, signed copies of the Refugee Benefits Election Form (PDF - 115 KB) (signature required) and the Special Immigrant Visa Biodata Form (DS-0234) (PDF - 312 KB), included in the visa instruction packet, to NVC, the Refugee Processing Center (RPC), or the appropriate Resettlement Support Center (RSC), as soon as possible but no later than 10 calendar days after the date your visa is issued. In addition, you must submit a scanned copy of your visa foil as soon as possible but no later than 30 calendar days prior to the visa’s expiration. You should not wait to submit the Refugee Benefits Election Form and the Special Immigrant Visa Biodata Form until visa issuance. All three items must be received by NVC, RPC, or RSC prior to the deadlines indicated above. Failure to do so will result in the denial of any future request for Department of State-funded resettlement benefits. Click here for additional information about Department of State-funded benefits.
If you decline to receive Department of State-funded resettlement benefits, you may still be eligible to receive benefits funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Refugee Resettlement (HHS/ORR). Unlike Department of State-funded benefits, HHS/ORR-funded benefits can be claimed upon arrival to the United States. Click here for additional information about HHS/ORR-funded benefits.
List of cities they can chose from
https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/SIVs/Refugee-Benefits-Election-Form-07-16-2021.pdf
You have three options to influence where you will be placed in the United States:
-
You may choose a city from the list of SIV R&P Placement Options in the table below.
If you would like to be resettled to one of the listed cities, please write the selected city on
the DS-0234 SIV Biodata Form under Section E, entitled “Comments.”
You may list a person near whom you would like to be resettled. If you have family
members or friends in the United States near whom you would like to be resettled, you
should indicate this on the DS-0234 Biodata Form under Section D, “U.S. Ties”. Please
ensure you provide their full name, address, telephone number, email address, and
relationship. While you may provide a preference about where you might wish to be
resettled, if you elect to participate in this program, it may not always be possible to
honor your request to resettle near family members or friends. Please be aware that the
cost of living and the availability of housing can vary significantly in different locations
across the United States.
-
You may allow a resettlement agency choose a location for you. The resettlement
agency will use the biographical information you provide to determine the resettlement site
that is best suited for you and your family.
SIV R&P Placement Options
State City City Website
1 AZ Phoenix https://www.phoenix.gov/
2 CO Denver https://www.denvergov.org
3 FL Jacksonville http://www.coj.net/
4 GA Atlanta http://www.atlantaga.gov/
5 IL Chicago https://www.cityofchicago.org
6 MD Baltimore https://www.baltimorecity.gov/
7 MO St. Louis https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/
8 NC Raleigh-Durham http://durhamnc.gov/ & https://www.raleighnc.gov/
9 NJ
Northern New Jersey
(to include Elizabeth and
Highland Park)
http://www.elizabethnj.org/ & http://www.hpboro.com/
10 NV Las Vegas https://www.lasvegasnevada.gov
11 NY Buffalo https://www.ci.buffalo.ny.us/
12 OH Cleveland http://www.city.cleveland.oh.us/
13 OR Portland https://www.portlandoregon.gov/
14 PA Philadelphia http://www.phila.gov
15 PA Pittsburgh http://pittsburghpa.gov/
16 TX Austin http://www.austintexas.gov/
17 TX Dallas – Fort Worth http://dallascityhall.com & http://fortworthtexas.gov/
18 TX Houston http://www.houstontx.gov/
19 UT Salt Lake City http://www.ci.slc.ut.us/
Benefits for Afghan and Iraqi Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Holders
Are you an Afghan or Iraqi individual who has been granted SIV status?
You may be eligible for cash assistance, medical assistance, employment
preparation, job placement, English language training, and other services
offered through the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). You may also
be eligible for federal “mainstream” (non-ORR funded) benefits, such as
cash assistance through Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), health insurance through Medicaid,
and food assistance through Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(SNAP). This document focuses on the benefits and services that ORR funds.
To find out what resettlement benefits and services are available, contact your
State Refugee Coordinator: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/grant-funding/keystate-contacts
Some SIVs can also receive Reception and Placement (R&P) Services from local
refugee resettlement agencies. To find a local refugee resettlement agency
(R&P Affiliate) visit: https://www.wrapsnet.org/rp-agency-contacts
https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/orr/Benefits-for-SIVs-Fact-Sheet.pdf
Welp going to have to miss Joe. I've got shit to do.