As we watch the events in Afghanistan, I want you to know what my team is doing to help safely evacuate U.S. citizens as well as Afghan citizens who risked their own lives to protect Americans over the last two decades.
In our Phoenix office, my team has worked around the clock with the State Department to ensure that those we have been in touch with have been able to safely evacuate from the Hamid Karzai Airport in Kabul––and we are now working to help those in safe locations outside of Afghanistan navigate the visa process.
We were particularly moved to receive an emotional voice message from one of the Afghan allies we helped as he boarded a plane in Kabul knowing that America has made good on its promise to keep him and his family safe.
I’m also happy to report that all remaining members of the elite Female Tactical Platoon––a group of Afghan women who supported U.S. Special Forces on dangerous missions in Afghanistan––have either safely evacuated from Kabul or are at the airport awaiting evacuation. Our office has been working with Arizonans with special ties to this group for months to make sure they would have access to the visas necessary to enter the United States.
There’s no easy way to say it––the evacuation of our citizens and allies from Afghanistan started off poorly. But I’m proud that over the last 12 days, the men and women of our Armed Forces have evacuated nearly 100,000 people in tough and dangerous circumstances. They deserve our enduring gratitude.
If someone you know needs assistance in Afghanistan, please reach out to my office—either online or by calling (602) 956-2463. My team is ready to help in any way.