Readout of National Security Council Event Recognizing the Contributions of Veterans and Volunteers to Operation Allies Welcome

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer, and Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall yesterday hosted veterans, volunteers, and Afghan newcomers to honor their contributions to Operation Allies Welcome (OAW), through which the U.S. government welcomed tens of thousands of our Afghan allies to America. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough, Deputy Secretary Defense Kathleen Hicks, Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Andrea Palm, and Acting Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources John Bass represented the range of federal departments and agencies that have been involved in the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to support our Afghan allies.  
 
Mr. Sullivan thanked all of those who have volunteered for their tireless support for newcomers and reaffirmed the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to continuing to resettle our Afghan allies over the coming years, which is an ongoing effort through a program called Enduring Welcome. Secretary McDonough reflected on the strength of U.S. Veterans and servicemembers—and their families—who are now welcoming the partners who stood shoulder to shoulder with them in Afghanistan.  Secretary Mayorkas recounted the whole-of-government effort, led by DHS, to welcome approximately 100,000 Afghan newcomers, and the critical role of partnerships in supporting our allies as they rebuild their lives in their new communities.  

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