Berkley Center

This essay advocates for supporting female Hazara Special Operators and our Afghan allies through the Afghan Adjustment Act. To help the United States, the Afghan Female Tactical Platoon (FTP) was created and became an elite unit of Afghan women who worked alongside U.S. special operations forces and Afghan Special Security Forces. As the U.S. military and FTPs worked side by side, their partnership was pivotal in confronting the Taliban and fostered a sense of solidarity and sisterhood among the female soldiers. Undeterred by having three strikes against them for being women, Hazaran, and working with the United States, the FTPs proved instrumental allies for the U.S. military. After interviewing FTPs and members of the U.S. army, it is clear it is an ethical and moral obligation to end the humanitarian parole status of the Female Tactical Platoon members and pass meaningful legislation that permits a permanent path to citizenship. In addition to looking out for the FTP members who are at grave risk under Taliban rule, Congress must reaffirm its commitment to the Special Immigrant Visa program and implement streamlined processes to distribute visas to Afghans who are stuck waiting overseas.