Skip to content

‘Support for Afghan Refugees Crosses the Political Divides’

WASHINGTON D.C. — Bipartisan support for resettling Afghan allies and refugees is promising but comes with the danger of a “nativist backlash,” as an editorial in today’s Boston Globe highlights.

“Stories of Americans embracing Afghan refugees have been heartwarming. The risk of a nativist backlash is all too real — but so is the opportunity for this country to rekindle its historic role as a beacon of hope for oppressed groups,” the Globe editorial board writes. “ … At least at the moment, support for Afghan refugees crosses the political divides that so often paralyze this country, despite a few outliers. At a time of deep polarization, that’s a hopeful sign.

“ ‘If we can welcome Afghan refugees across political lines and at the local and national level, we go a long way to strengthening our democracy,’ ” said Ali Noorani, President and CEO of the National Immigration Forum, as quoted in the editorial. “ ‘ … If nativist forces are successful in weaponizing this crisis, the likelihood of political violence, much less upheaval, increases every day.’ ”

The full editorial is available here.

Related Topics

Refugees/Asylees

Learn More

Read more about Careful Vetting Awaits Afghan Evacuees

Press Release

Careful Vetting Awaits Afghan Evacuees

Read more about GOP Governors Welcome Afghan Refugees

Press Release

GOP Governors Welcome Afghan Refugees

Read more about Fact Sheet: Pathways to Protection for Afghans at Risk

Fact Sheet

Fact Sheet: Pathways to Protection for Afghans at Risk