ATA has joined Red-T’s international language coalition and Amnesty International to request the urgent relocation of interpreters who assisted American forces in Afghanistan. In a letter to the U.S. Department of State, the coalition noted that the complicated and often problematic Special Immigrant Visa process has left many local civilian linguists and their families waiting for years while facing retribution from insurgents.
Read Red-T’s Open Letter Requesting the Urgent Relocation of Afghan Interpreters.
With the scheduled withdrawal of U.S. troops on September 11, time is running out to save those interpreters who supported the U.S. and its allies in the global fight against terrorism. The coalition also reminded U.S. Secretary Blinken that a similar evacuation was undertaken near the end of the Vietnam War, when thousands of Americans and Vietnamese were airlifted to safety by U.S. forces.
Are You a Member of the Media?
Visit the ATA Press Room for industry insights and responses to current affairs involving the translation and interpreting professions.
Media Contact
Adrian Aleckna
ATA Interim Executive Director
+1-703-683-6100 ext. 3019
adrian@atanet.org
Latest Posts
- ATA Statement on Artificial Intelligence May 20, 2025
- Pennsylvania Recruiting Bilingual Workers with a Pay Incentive Pilot Program May 5, 2025
- A County in Illinois Rolls Out “I Speak” Cards as Part of April’s “Language Access Month” May 5, 2025
- Trump Administration Cuts Funding for Ukrainian Literature Translations at Harvard May 5, 2025
- Washington State Senate Passes Bill Enhancing Court Interpreting Services for Non-English Speakers May 5, 2025