August 21, 2021
Dear Friends,
The images we are witnessing from Afghanistan are heartbreaking and terrifying.
Our primary focus has to be the immediate security of of our diplomats, citizens and Afghan translators and partners who put their lives on the line to stand with our nation and our troops over these last two decades.
My office has been working around the clock connecting with constituents from our Capital Region working to get themselves and their loved ones out of Afghanistan. Thanks to the courage and dedication of our service men and women on the ground, we are seeing thousands of individuals and families evacuated to safety each day. Here are just some of the resources and updates on our ongoing effort to support these urgent evacuations.
The U.S. State Department has set up an emergency hotline this week for U.S. Citizens seeking a flight out of Kabul:
- Domestic callers should contact: 1-888-407-4747
- Overseas callers should contact: 1-202-501-4444
If you or someone you know is an American citizen in Afghanistan that wants to leave the country, you can complete this online Repatriation Assistance Request form. Spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens in Afghanistan who are awaiting immigrant visas and who wish to depart should also complete this form as soon as possible.
If you or someone you know is a non U.S. citizen at risk due to affiliation with the United States, there are programs available to you, including the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program. More information on that program is available HERE, along with priority referrals to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP).
Eligibility for Priority 2 (P-2) designation includes Afghans who work or have worked:
- For the U.S. government but may not qualify for a SIV because they do not have qualifying employment;
- On U.S. government-funded programs or projects; and
- For U.S. based NGOs and media organizations.
More information on the P-2 designation is available at www.state.gov/refugee-admissions/.
During this time of crisis, we are frequently reminded of the service and sacrifice of America’s military veterans. They need to know that we honor and appreciate their service and we are here to support them in this difficult time. The Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7 to help any veteran experiencing a mental health crisis. Text 838255, call 1-800-273-8255, then PRESS 1 or visit veteranscrisisline.net/.
Other resources and mental health services can be found at https://veterans.house.gov/mental-health-resources-for-veterans. My staff and I remain committed to serving our Capital Region and are accessible through my website and by phone. If you or a loved one need help, we stand ready to assist.
This week yet again instilled in me the deepest gratitude for our current and former servicemembers who have shouldered this burden for the American people for two decades. They accomplished what we set out to do 20 years ago, and our troops on the ground today continue that work in Afghanistan to evacuate and defend other Americans and our Afghan partners. All have put their lives on the line to protect our lives and our freedom and that is a sacrifice we can never repay, but that we will never forget.
Stay safe and as always, thank you for reading.
Your friend,
DID YOU KNOW?
Throughout this pandemic, my office and I have worked to make sure you remain informed with the latest updates and recommendations from federal agencies. With that in mind here is some information from the Office of the New York Attorney General that may be of interest to you:
- New York Attorney General Letitia James issued an alert to protect New Yorkers from the dangers of fake coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination cards.
- This response has been taken as reports are surfacing of fraudsters making, selling, and using fake vaccination cards due to an increasing number of businesses, schools, and cities that have begun to require the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Falsifying vaccine cards and records, as well as the unauthorized use of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) seals, also violate various federal and New York state laws and is subject to civil and criminal enforcement.
- New Yorkers can access proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test result digitally on their smartphone using one of the two Excelsior Pass apps, which are available for free from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.
- New Yorkers can learn more about the Excelsior Pass apps online.
