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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Veterans for American Ideals Welcomes Bishop Garrison

Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First today welcomed Bishop Garrison as its next director of National Security Outreach and of Veterans for American Ideals. Garrison, who is an Army veteran and West Point graduate, recently served as interim executive director of the Truman National Security Project.

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Resources

Veteran Coalition Letter to Members of Congress in Support of the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Program
Human Rights First
Letter | September 19, 2018
September 19, 2018   Dear Members of Congress, We represent more than two hundred thousand veterans from every branch of the United States military and every American conflict since Vietnam.
The Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Program
Human Rights First
Factsheet | September 19, 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 | September 19, 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. 

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News and Views

 

  • Veterans for American Ideals Welcomes Bishop Garrison
    Blog | March 19, 2019 |

    Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First today welcomed Bishop Garrison as its next director of National Security Outreach and of Veterans for American Ideals. Garrison, who is an Army veteran and West Point graduate, recently served as interim...
  • Gratitude and Transitions
    Blog | March 18, 2019 |

    by Scott Cooper

    I vividly remember my change of command. I handed the guidon to my successor, and the work of the squadron continued—a unit where I had spent ten years of my Marine Corps career. I knew I would miss the Marines (I still do...
  • News from the Week of March 3rd
    Blog | March 7, 2019 |

     

    Afghani interpreter Nabi Mohammadi earned his United States citizenship on the first of last May. He worked as a translator for U.S. Army National Guard units since 2011 but moved to Iowa in 2013 on a...
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