FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lake Wales, FL – January 31, 2025 – Operation Recovery calls for strict adherence to official Priority-1 (P-1) and Priority-2 (P-2) referral guidelines in response to the recent stoppage in Afghan resettlement movement. The organization emphasizes that proper compliance is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the resettlement process and protecting applicants’ legal status.
The current pause in movement has intensified concerns within the resettlement community. Operation Recovery is responding by providing clear guidance on proper procedures while offering support to affected individuals and their sponsors.
“Our primary concern is ensuring the safety and legal standing of our Afghan allies seeking refuge,” said Elizabeth Lynn, Director of Government Affairs at Operation Recovery. “While we understand the challenges posed by these delays, it’s crucial to maintain the integrity of the official process. We’re here to help navigate these pathways safely and legally.”
Official P-1 and P-2 Referral Guidelines
P-1 Eligibility Requirements:
- Referrals must be submitted by a current or former U.S. Armed Service Member or DoD civilian who directly collaborated with the Afghan national in support of the DoD mission in Afghanistan
- The principal applicant must demonstrate imminent and threatening concerns stemming from their service to the DoD mission
- Afghan nationals with an active Chief of Mission (COM)-approved Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) application should note that their P-1 referral may be rejected, but they may become eligible if their SIV application is denied
P-2 Eligibility Requirements:
- Referrals require submission from a current U.S. Armed Service Member or DoD civilian who worked with the Afghan national in support of the DoD mission
- Eligible Afghan nationals must have served on DoD PRIME contracts in roles such as Local National Linguists for DoD, United States Forces – Afghanistan (USFOR-A), International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), or Resolute Support
- The principal applicant must demonstrate imminent and threatening concerns related to their support of the DoD mission
“We’re committed to supporting our Afghan allies through this challenging period,” said Lynn. “Our team stands ready to provide guidance and ensure applications meet all requirements for successful processing.”
Operation Recovery continues to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates as new information becomes available. The organization remains dedicated to advocating for Afghan allies while maintaining the highest standards of compliance and ethical practice.
Media Contact:
Ian PattersonExecutive Director
Operation Recovery
Email: [email protected]
Web: OperationRecovery.org
About Operation Recovery
Operation Recovery is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving veterans, first responders, and their families through comprehensive support services, community engagement, and charitable assistance. As part of our mission to support distressed Americans and allies abroad, we provide guidance and resources to those seeking legal pathways to safety. We work collaboratively with government agencies and partner organizations to fulfill our charitable mission.
Important Notice: Operation Recovery strongly recommends consulting with qualified immigration attorneys for all immigration matters. Operation Recovery is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. All information provided is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created through any communications with our organization.