We raised our right hands and pledged to support and defend the Constitution. That commitment does not stop.

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About

Veterans for American Ideals is a nonpartisan group of veterans who share the belief that America is strongest when its policies and actions match its ideals.

We dedicated our lives to our country as citizen-soldiers, and we believe that honor, courage, commitment, duty, and country are not just words, but values worth defending. After taking off the uniform, we seek to continue serving our country by advocating for policies that are consistent with the ideals that motivated us to serve in the first place. Our current campaigns are focused on saving the Special Immigrant Visa program for interpreters and translators who served with the U.S. military, protecting refugees, and countering Islamophobia.

#WhatIFoughtFor

Most Americans have never met a refugee, much less had a personal connection with one. But many veterans' lives are intertwined with those of refugees in profound and deeply personal ways. These are some of their stories.

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Leader Spotlight: Buck Cole

"We have forgotten when we were led into a room where the flag of our country and a copy of the Constitution were displayed and we raised our right hand and swore to defend its principles," says VFAI leader Buck Cole. "We have to recapture and reinforce its rightful place in American society, and veterans should play a leading role in that effort."

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Resources

The Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Program
Human Rights First
Factsheet | April 17, 2018
The Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Program 2009-2018  What is the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Program?  Download
How the Trump Administration's Executive Orders on Refugees Harm Our Iraqi Wartime Allies
Human Rights First
Factsheet | April 12, 2018
U.S.-Affiliated Iraqis and the Iraqi Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Program
Bipartisan Support for the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Program
Human Rights First
Factsheet | October 13, 2017
Bipartisan Support for the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Program
President Trump's Executive Order on Refugees Harms Our Iraqi Allies
Human Rights First
Factsheet | July 18, 2017
Download PDF
Victory for Afghans who served with American Forces
Human Rights First
Report | May 31, 2017
Brothers and Sisters in Arms As veterans, we served with and often depended on interpreters, translators, and other local allies to carry out missions in Afghanistan. Many of these individuals’ lives are now in danger as a result of their service. 
Protecting our Allies
Human Rights First
Impact Study | May 08, 2017
Over the last fifteen years, thousands of Afghans—working primarily as interpreters and translators—have provided crucial support to the U.S. military. Because of their affiliation with the United States, they have faced vicious persecution and violence from the Taliban.

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News and Views

 

  • #29for29: What I Truly Love About America
    Blog | June 22, 2018 |

    By Wendy Wheeler

    Last week I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Hazeem Pudhaipura, his lovely wife Nina, and their three children, Hiba, Hana and Danial. Thanks to Mansoor Shams and Vets for American Ideals’ joint #29/29 Ramadan...
  • News from the Week of June 18th
    Blog | June 22, 2018 |

    Governors from at least eight states are withholding or recalling National Guard troops from efforts to secure the U.S. border with Mexico. Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland said, "Until this policy of separating children from their families has been...
  • #29for29: A Colonel and an Imam
    | June 18, 2018 |

    By Reed Bonadona

    I signed up to participate in the 29 for 29 Ramadan initiative fairly impulsively, out of feeling of general support for Veterans for American Ideals (VFAI) and a sense that I could do more to stand up for the American...
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