Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01) today announced the passage of her bill by the House of Representatives to protect our Afghan allies. The Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts (CARE) Authorization Act of 2024 ensures that our country continues to keep its promise to safely evacuate Afghans who bravely and dutifully served alongside U.S. servicemembers, diplomats, and aid workers, as they face continued threats from the Taliban.

“The passage of the CARE Authorization Act of 2024 further underscores the commitment made by the U.S. government to safeguard those who served shoulder-to-shoulder with our personnel during the twenty-year mission in Afghanistan,” Rep. Titus said. “The State Department has made it clear: There is no deadline for the crucial job of protecting Afghan allies. By authorizing the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts at the State Department, we can more effectively relocate and resettle those who have qualified to immigrate to the U.S. as a result of their service to this country.”

Background

In 2022 the State Department established a specialized office called the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts (CARE) to streamline and coordinate the ongoing relocation and resettlement process for eligible Afghans from Afghanistan and Pakistan to the United States. CARE serves as the hub of this whole-of-government priority, working closely with various federal departments and agencies, international partners, and NGOs to ensure the safe and efficient relocation of individuals who have earned the right to immigrate to the U.S. as either SIVs or refugees during the twenty-year U.S. mission in Afghanistan.

CARE's mission is vital to keeping our promise to our Afghan allies and protecting them the way they protected U.S. servicemembers. This work, however, is not codified in statute and has a limited scope of authorities. The CARE Authorization Act of 2024 will formally authorize the CARE office at the State Department for three years and grant important authorities to advance its mission. These include an extension of authorities to enter into personal services contracts—an identified legislative priority for the State Department—as well as measures to streamline the transfer of funds to and from other agencies involved in the Afghan relocation mission.