Christian groups urge Biden to extend 'arbitrary and harmful' Afghanistan withdrawal deadline

By Ryan Foley, Christian Post Reporter Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Church World Service urges Biden to abandon ‘arbitrary and harmful’ Aug. 31 deadline

An official with the group Church World Service predicts that the Biden administration’s commitment to the Aug. 31 deadline will “cost countless lives.” 

“President Biden is holding to a deadline that is arbitrary and harmful,” said Erol Kekic, senior vice president for the Immigration and Refugee Program for Church World Service, in a statement Tuesday. “Today’s news is devastating to the Afghans and U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents alike who are in life-threatening situations within Afghanistan and for their loved ones in awaiting them in the United States.” 

Kekic contended that the federal government has “a moral obligation to create a safe pathway out of Afghanistan for all those in danger to U.S. territory — as long as it takes to get the job done.” 

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“With the Taliban now blocking access to the Kabul airport, attacks on women and children escalating, and the targeting of men and women who worked alongside the United States persisting, President Biden must recognize that his adherence to a hard deadline will cost countless lives,” he added.

Church World Service has deployed staff members to Fort Lee, Virginia, to help with the arrival and processing of refugees from Afghanistan. From there, the Christian organization will work to provide them with housing, employment and other social services.