The Afghan Scout Relief Fund is a strictly non-partisan organization seeking bi-partisan solutions.
Our Work
Congressional Education and Partnership Development
About 20 of our students bravely and eloquently shared their stories in meetings with over 50 offices on Capitol Hill. Under the “Student Updates” section, please enjoy Congressional testimonies and the June 24th 2026 “Afghan Women’s Education Reception.”
August 2026 Congressional Education Overview
“One Afghan Woman’s Education at a Time”
Dear Friends of ASRF,
With so much devotion from so many ASRF students, donors, and communities, we accomplished major milestones towards protecting our students studying in the US and advocating for their Afghan women student peers.
Students Shared their stories
offices met with on capitol hill
congressional signatories
of advocacy During 2 administrations
The voice of afghan women will carry forward
Taos, New Mexico home Representative Theresa Leger Fernandez, Chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus.
Congressman Don Bacon and Chief of Staff Mark Dreiling take a picture with the students and their awards at the Afghan Women’s Education reception in the Capitol.
the letter request
Afghan Women Student Visas
In August 2026, ASRF received confirmation from Don Bacon’s office that his Afghan Women Visas letter request was officially sent to Secretary Rubio at the State Department and Secretary Mullin at the Department of Homeland Security. It asked for a case by case exemption to Proclamation 10949 for Afghan women applying for F1 student visas and to allow for the processing of OPT for Afghan students, receiving 2 Republican and 13 Democratic signatories.
About 20 ASRF students showed incredible resilience by sharing their stories in meetings with over 50 offices on Capitol Hill, and emailing and dropping into many more than that!
Students have a heartfelt exchange with Representative Sydney Kamlager Dove (CA-37) after she introduces her “Rejecting the Erasure of Afghan Women and Girls Act” as Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South and Central Asia.
a letter of support
Congressman Pete Sessions
The same day the letter request was delivered, we received an amazing letter of support in the mail from the office of Eagle Scout Pete Sessions of Texas! In July, students took turns presenting thank you cards with a message of gratitude and student signatures to all of the offices that met with us.
Back in March, Congressman Sessions spent about an hour hearing from three students and scouring over a map of Afghanistan to see where everyone was from! The letter of support is truly heartfelt and shows that we have a big supporter in Chairman Sessions. He has communicated a true devotion to the educational opportunity of Afghan women and was beyond impressed by the students.
Congressman Pete Sessions and staffer Albert Mercer with students and Aydin after having great conversation and scouring a map of Afghanistan.
Congressman Sessions and a student sit on his picturesque windowsill with the Capitol looming behind.
Congressman Sessions and a student sit on his picturesque windowsill with the Capitol looming behind.
“You have my continued support, as do the women and families of Afghanistan.”
luis vega, chief of staff, office of congressman sessions
a student’s perspective
Advocating for Afghan Women’s Education
I walked through the echoing hallways of congressional office buildings, hearing every footstep resound on the marble floor. Each corridor evoked history and the air smelled of solemn authority. People in suits walked impatiently as if they didn’t see anything other than their destination. I felt tense in the suit I borrowed from my host family, nervous about how a staffer in a fancy office would react to my story. The story of a high school girl from Afghanistan experiencing a new culture and studying in a second language.
I quickly noticed that people are very kind but do not know much about the current brutality faced by women in Afghanistan. “I didn’t know that, that’s so horrible. I’m really sorry” a staffer would mutter.
I soon realized that our voices truly mattered in those halls, speaking truth to what so many cannot even imagine.
Our conversations and storytelling have been shaping perspectives and inspiring people on Capitol Hill to take action. We have made friends who offered internships for ASRF students and gave their personal number to call in times of need. The connections we continue to make help us find our way through the complexity of such a big change. I now know that no matter how big the world is or how inexperienced I feel, there are always people who will listen to my story and our words will find their way through their hearts. Hearts of humans who understand how unjust and cruel time is for Afghan women.
Masuda – First year college student
Bi-Partisan Foreign Affairs Committee staff meet with ASRF.
President of ASRF Steve Gates meets with Jake Sullivan, President Biden’s National Security Advisor, at the White House.
The House Foreign Affairs committee leadership are all Afghan women (we wish) – disregard the goofy looking dude on the right.
Students meet with Representative Jason Crow (CO-06), a staunch Afghan Ally.
Cannon House Office building features grand architecture and balconies with picturesque views of the Capitol.
Students with Bacon’s Chief of Staff Mark Dreiling in his office.
Students in conversation with Representative Theresa Leger Fernandez in the Rayburn Room of the Capitol.
Students in conversation with Representative Gregory Meeks (NY-05).
what’s next
With the support of the widespread ASRF community, we have made a lasting impact on Capitol Hill and have created many allies inside and outside of Congress. I couldn’t be more proud of our students and so grateful to everyone who has supported them in their inspiring endeavors.
It has been so meaningful to work with Representative Bacon’s office and many other offices and allies on the letter request and we will be mapping out next steps to continue spreading the good word and advocating for something to be written into law protecting the educational opportunity of Afghan students in the United States.
When I was in Scouts, our tradition for celebrating a time of great accomplishment and excitement was Teddy Roosevelt’s favorite refrain: “Bully Bully!” and thank you all so much for your unwavering support to the future of incredible and inspired Afghan scouts, students and women who have sacrificed so much to pursue their education. We aspire to continue this amazing work with all of you by our side.
Aydin Gates – Communications and Government Relations Director
Sahar and Safa speak with Representative Leger-Fernandez.
Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa.
Students speak with Representative Michael Baumgartner (WA-05) at a reception in Bullfeathers hosted by the nonprofit No One Left Behind.
Roqaia receives an award for presenting on Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan before beginning her studies in the US and presents her story to Representative Keith Self (TX-03).
Outside the Foreign Affairs Committee Room with Ranking Member Gregory Meeks.
Catherine Liu, Senior Legislative Assistant for Ranking Member of Armed Services Adam Smith (WA-09).
Students with Rep. Theresa Leger-Fernandez.
Students at Women’s Suffrage monument in Capitol Rotunda.
Students at Women’s Suffrage monument in Capitol Rotunda on a tour with Theresa’s Chief of Staff.
Watch
join our effort to amplify the voices of afghan women
Help protect the educational opportunity of Afghan students in the United States and grant more the same life changing opportunity. If you would like to join in our advocacy efforts and coalition building, please reach out to Aydin Gates at a_gates@afghanscoutrelieffund.org.