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.

SIV Sips

Veterans for American Ideals, in collaboration with Starbucks, is proud to present SIV Sips. By bringing veterans and refugees together for coffee and conversation, we build bridges between communities and grow together.
 
Named "SIV Sips" in honor of the brave interpreters and translators who received Special Immigrant Visas for their service alongside U.S. troops in Iraq or Afghanistan, the project shows new Americans that they are part of a community, and veterans that their work isn't done just because they've taken off their uniforms. Hosted regularly at Starbucks stores in 14 U.S. cities, SIV Sips invite attendees to sip coffee, build their networks, and share the challenges and victories of life in the United States.
 
Last year, we welcomed our newest neighbors and nurtured the special bond between veterans and SIVs. In 2019, we look forward to hosting SIV Sips in new locations, and to building more welcoming communities together.  

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Leader Spotlight: Shakir Radeef

Shakir Radeef was an Iraqi journalist working in countries across the Middle East, covering election news and human rights issues, including the refugee crisis, before he applied for refugee status and was resettled in the United States in 2014. "After living in the United States for almost five years, I now know with certainty that there is more than enough room in this country to offer safety and security for those who have been pushed out of their homes," he says. "The United States is a land of opportunity and there are opportunities here for the persecuted to use their skills and talents to make the nation stronger."

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News and Views

 

  • Weekly News Round-up: Week of July 29, 2019
    Blog | August 2, 2019 |

     

    Trump administration extends Syrian TPS status, protecting seven thousand from deportation. In a piece of good news, the administration decided on deadline, at end of day 01 Aug 19, to extend temporary protected status to seven thousand...
  • Weekly News Round-up: Week of July 22, 2019
    Blog | July 26, 2019 |

     

    Trump Administration may be moving toward accepting zero refugees. Each year by September 30th the White House sets a cap on the number of refugees the United States expects to resettle during the new fiscal year. During his first year...
  • Veterans for American Ideals Statement on Independence Day and Asylum
    Press Release | July 4, 2019 |

    Washington, D.C.—Today, as the United States celebrates Independence Day, Bishop Garrison, Director of Veterans for American Ideals issued the following statement:

    "The Fourth of July is a special day of the year for veterans. It is a time...
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