September 15, 2022
Almost 70 Percent of Americans Support Taking in U.S.-Affiliated and At-Risk Afghans
September 15, 2022 – A new survey released by More in Common U.S. shows broad bipartisan support for the U.S. taking in U.S.-affiliated and at-risk Afghans. This comes as multiple veterans organizations have expressed keeping faith with the men and women who served alongside American and allied forces.
These survey findings were released following the recent introduction of the Afghan Adjustment Act (S.4787/H.R. 8685), which allows certain U.S.-affiliated and at-risk Afghans to apply to live in the United States permanently. The legislation will be considered by Congress as part of a continuing funding resolution vote expected next week.
69% of Americans believe the U.S. should take in Afghans, according to the survey, including 76% of Democrats and 64% of Republicans. Only 11% of respondents fully opposed accepting Afghans.
While most Americans are unfamiliar specifically with the Afghan Adjustment Act introduced only weeks ago, 59% of respondents supported the bill after reading a neutral description of how it would assist Afghans. Support increased to 76% when they learned that veterans groups support the bill. Respondents who supported the bill argued that the U.S. has a duty to help U.S.-affiliated and at-risk Afghans (67%), and that these Afghans deserve permanent residency since they put their lives and the lives of their families on the line in working with American service members during the war (66%).
“This survey clearly shows a majority of Americans recognize the risk many Afghans took to support our efforts in Afghanistan,” said Dan Vallone, executive director of More in Common U.S. “Our findings also acknowledge a common commitment that transcends party lines around a duty to honor that sacrifice by providing Afghans a pathway for permanent status.”
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About More in Common U.S.
More in Common U.S. is a non-partisan research and civic nonprofit that studies the forces pulling America apart, seeking to disrupt polarization and forge a stronger sense of what Americans have in common.