In 2021, the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan led to the Taliban's takeover of Kabul. During this period, Republican lawmakers in Congress advocated for the United States to accept Afghan individuals who had assisted American forces over the course of nearly two decades. They called for the expansion of a special visa program designed for Afghan allies, emphasizing the need for humanitarian support for those who had risked their lives.

However, the situation shifted dramatically when Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan man who had been evacuated by the U.S. military, was charged with shooting two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., resulting in one death and one serious injury. In response to this incident, former President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. should reassess the status of all Afghan evacuees.

Despite the initial bipartisan support for Afghan refugees, the Biden administration subsequently halted the Special Immigrant Visa program, effectively closing the last legal avenue for many Afghans seeking refuge in the United States. This decision has led to a notable silence among Republican advocates who previously championed the cause of Afghan allies. Representative Michael McCaul of Texas remarked on the diminished prospects for the visa program, indicating that it is now significantly impaired, which he described as unfortunate given the sacrifices made by these individuals alongside U.S. military forces.