A nineteen-year-old Afghan student was twice denied an American visa despite admission to an American university alongside a scholarship covering all her expenses. When questioned about the reason for the denial, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State cited the Immigration and Nationality Act, which includes a requirement to prove one’s intention to leave the U.S. following the expiration of their visa.
https://www.voanews.com/a/female-afghan-students-decry-us-visa-denial-/7364528.html
December 4, 2023
President Joseph Biden
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Biden,
The Committee of Concerned Scientists is an independent organization of scientists, physicians, engineers, and scholars devoted to the protection and advancement of human rights and scientific freedom for colleagues all over the world.
We are writing in regard to an Afghan student who was recently admitted to an American university. She was also the recipient of a scholarship covering all her expenses. According to an interview she gave with Voice of America, who protected her name, she was twice denied her visa at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan, supposedly due to her not being able to prove that she will be returning to her home country when her visa expires. She now faces deportation from Pakistan, as her current, short-term visa is set to expire in two weeks, and her imminent return to Afghanistan, where opportunities are very restricted.
The Committee is concerned by this visa denial; this student has proven her worthiness through her commitment to her education alone. She and her family both have gone to great lengths to reach the point she is at today, and she has done everything required of her in the process, only to be turned around when she is so close. We are also concerned about what this might mean for other students in similar positions.
We write to urge the Department of State to reconsider this student’s visa denial and to promote a more fair and consistent process for the scholars who wish to enter our nation.
Thank you for your attention to this serious matter. We will be closely following developments in this case.
Sincerely,
Joel L. Lebowitz, Paul H. Plotz, Walter Reich, Eugene M. Chudnovsky, Alexander Greer
Co-Chairs, Committee of Concerned Scientists
CC:
Antony J. Blinken
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520 USA
Phone: (202) 647-4000
X: @ABlinken