Columbia Standard

U.S. Rep. James E. Clyburn said he believes it's America's responsibility to honor the promise made to the Afghan people who helped U.S. troops while they fought the war in Afghanistan.

It's why the Sixth District Democrat said he is supporting the Averting Loss of Life and Injury by Expediting SIVs (ALLIES) Act, which would increase the cap on Special Immigrant Visas by 8,000 in an effort to help more people who assisted the U.S. military.

"Our Afghan partners stood by our side and put their lives on the line to help our troops," Clyburn tweeted July 22. "Passing the ALLIES Act to expedite Special Immigrant Visas for them will save lives and honor our promise to #TakeThemToo."

The bipartisan ALLIES Act of 2021 would protect American allies in Afghanistan who are at risk of being retaliated against for helping U.S. troops, Public Now reported.

CPR News reported the legislation would almost double the number of visas available to 19,000 from 11,000, for people, including translators.

According to the same article, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said about 20,000 Afghans have already applied for these special visas, but the number of people who worked with the U.S., whether as military interpreters or at the U.S. Embassy during the war that lasted almost 20 years, is much higher.