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.
Join Veterans for American Ideals
Leader Spotlight: Ibrahim Hashi
"I see having served and being a veteran as a privilege. And with privilege comes responsibility. It is my responsibility to speak up and defend American values whenever they come under threat," says Ibrahim Hashi, a U.S. Marine veteran and the son of immigrants from Somalia.
Read More...Resources
- President Trump's Executive Order on Refugees Harms Our Iraqi Allies
Human Rights First
factsheet | July 18, 2017 | Human Rights FirstRecognizing the importance of protecting Iraqi allies who served alongside the U.S. Military, U.S. agencies, media, and non-governmental organizations....
- Victory for Afghans who Served with American Forces
Human Rights First
report | May 31, 2017 | Human Rights FirstAs veterans, we served with and often depended on interpreters, translators, and other local allies to carry out missions in Afghanistan....
- Trump's Refugee and Immigration Executive Order
Human Rights First
factsheet | January 31, 2017 | Human Rights FirstThe order discriminates against Muslims, imperils refugees, and degrades U.S. national security and global leadership....
- The Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Program
Human Rights First
factsheet | December 12, 2016 | Human Rights FirstWhat is the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Program?...
- National Security Leaders Statement of Principles on America's Commitment to Refugees
Human Rights First
letter | June 23, 2016 | Human Rights FirstSTATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES ON AMERICA’S COMMITMENT TO REFUGEES...
- Remarks by Deputy National Security Advisor Avril Haines Commemorating World Refugee Day
Human Rights First
transcription | June 15, 2016 | Human Rights FirstAs Prepared for Delivery - Fried Frank LLP, Washington, D.C...
News and Views
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Hold the Line
Blog | August 16, 2017 |By Scott Cooper
“That’s not how a Marine behaves!”
My sergeant major was admonishing a young lance corporal. I don’t even remember what the lance corporal did, it was so long ago. But it stuck with me because the sergeant...
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Leader Spotlight: Lance Sellon
Blog | August 13, 2017 |Veterans for American Ideals is recognizing veteran leaders who are continuing their service by building unity and standing up for American values. Through a series of interviews, we’re asking VFAI leaders to share more about how their...
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News From the Week of August 7, 2017
| August 11, 2017 |Here's the latest round-up of what we've been reading and watching this week, from in the news and around the web:
In a Reuters video highlighting the restaurant Falafel Inc., we learn about how its owners and employees are dedicated to...