U.S. public support rises for admitting Afghan allies of American forces
Results of a new poll in the United States show broad public support for protecting and admitting Afghans who worked with U.S. military forces, with support rising sharply once their role is made clear.
According to the survey, approval among American voters for admitting these individuals rose from 52% to 72% after they were informed of their role in the U.S. mission. In addition, 84% of likely 2026 voters said Washington should honour its commitments to Afghan allies and their family members.
The poll also found that support for Afghan allies is not limited to any one political camp. Based on the published data, after their roles as interpreters, journalists, drivers and security personnel were explained, support among Republican voters also rose from 22% to 54%.
In another part of the survey, 76% of participants called for the resumption of protection programmes for Afghans whose resettlement documents had already been approved. Meanwhile, 63% of respondents opposed any possible plans to deport or transfer these individuals to a third country.
The findings were released on Friday by the organisations HIAS and AfghanEvac, in a survey designed and conducted by Lake Research Partners and the Tarrance Group. Beth Oppenheim, president and CEO of HIAS, said that behind every number is a family whose future has been left uncertain because of America’s failure to keep its promise.
Shawn VanDiver, founder of AfghanEvac and a U.S. Navy veteran, also said that Americans still support the commitment to Afghans who worked alongside U.S. forces. Following the release of the data, human rights groups and refugee advocates called on the U.S. government and Congress to allocate a specific share of the refugee admissions cap for fiscal year 2027 to this group and their waiting family members.
HIAS and AfghanEvac are among the organisations active in refugee affairs and in supporting Afghan allies of the United States. The resettlement of these individuals after the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan has become one of the enduring issues in U.S. immigration policy.
