A Coalition of Organizations Denounce the Normalization of the Assad Regime by the Kingdom of Jordan

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 5, 2021 - On October 3rd, 2021, the Jordanian King Abdullah II received a phone call from Bashar al-Assad, leader of the Syrian regime responsible for torturing, killing, arbitrarily detaining, and displacing countless innocent civilians since the start of the peaceful uprising of the Syrian revolution in 2011. The undersigned organizations strongly reject and denounce the actions by the Kingdom of Jordan to normalize relations with the Assad regime, turning a blind eye to genocidal massacres against the civilians of their sister nation.

SYRIAN TPS HOLDERS, INCLUDING DOCTORS, DAYS AWAY FROM LOSING JOBS DUE TO USCIS DELAYS
USCIS must issue an automatic extension for work permits before the deadline

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 23, 2021
CONTACT: Shannon Wilson: [email protected] ; Jenny Lindell: [email protected] 

Washington, DC—Work permits for Syrian Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, holders are set to expire on September 27th, just days away. Yet many who properly applied months ago to renew their work permits have not received their new documents from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This is not the first time USCIS delays have threatened the livelihood of TPS holders, as thousands risked losing their permission to work due to severe delays under the previous administration, including those from Syria. Now the Biden administration is poised to repeat the same failure with Syrian TPS holders once again.

A National Coalition of Organizations Urges International Action to Protect Civilians in Daraa

The attacks on the birthplace of the revolution should be met with international condemnation and action towards a political transition.

WASHINGTON D.C., July 30, 2021 –  The undersigned organizations mourn the victims of the latest Assad regime and Iranian militias offense on civilians in Daraa in southwestern Syria on the border with Jordan. Since late June, Syrian forces have besieged the civilians of Daraa, in violation of the reconciliation agreement brokered by Russia in 2018. The humanitarian organization the White Helmets reported that 18 civilians were massacred in Alyadouda town just today. The undersigned organizations demand that Russia and its client state abide by the agreement and that the United States lead an international effort to prevent the regime and its backers from slaughtering more civilians.

A Coalition of Syrian American Organizations Decry the Sham Elections by the Assad Regime

This week’s Syrian elections are the latest example by Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad of a trend of a lack of free and fair democracy.

WASHINGTON D.C., April 23, 2021 – A coalition of Syrian American organizations denounces the latest round of elections in Syria and makes clear that the elections are part of a fraudulent and illegitimate electoral process that is neither free nor fair. The elections are outside of the framework of transparency and accountability described in United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254 and do not include the voices of all Syrians, especially refugees, internally displaced Syrians, and those in the diaspora.

The Syrian American Council and Americans for a Free Syria Applaud OPCW Decision on Syrian Regime

Wednesday’s OPCW decision to strip the Syrian regime of its privileges of membership represents a historic first step towards accountability for chemical weapons crimes

WASHINGTON D.C., April 23, 2021 –  Today, the Syrian American Council and Americans for a Free Syria applaud the members of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) who voted to strip the Assad regime of its rights and privileges due to the repeated, ongoing use of chemical weapons against civilians in Syria. Though this decision represents an important first step towards accountability, it remains critical that such a largely symbolic motion by the chemical weapon watchdog should be followed by a referral to the United Nations General Assembly for further accountability actions.

The Syrian American Council and Americans for a Free Syria Express Deep Sympathy on the Passing of Michel Kilo

Michel Kilo’s contributions to the revolution will not be forgotten.

WASHINGTON D.C., April 19, 2021 – The Syrian American Council and Americans for a Free Syria today send their sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Michel Kilo on the occasion of his passing. Michel Kilo’s courage and voice as a leader of the Syrian revolution will live on in the next generation who will carry the torch of freedom forward.

The Syrian American Council and Americans for a Free Syria Commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the Syrian Revolution

Ten years after courageous protestors took to the streets in Syria, the Syrian American Council and Americans for a Free Syria recommit to a vision of a free Syria

WASHINGTON D.C., March 15, 2021 –  Today, the Syrian American Council and Americans for a Free Syria pay remembrance to the ten years of hope, loss, and bravery that have characterized the Syrian Revolution. Both organizations work directly with Syrians and Syrian Americans who have demonstrated the utmost courage as they strive for a free and democratic Syria, and together, honor their tireless efforts. 

The Syrian American Council and Americans for a Free Syria Welcome Strikes Against Iran-Backed Terrorist Militias in Syria

The administration’s decision to carry out airstrikes against an Iranian-backed militia in al-Bukamal should be the start of a more assertive foreign policy towards Iran

WASHINGTON D.C., February 27, 2021 – The Syrian American Council and Americans for a Free Syria applaud the Biden administration’s decision to respond to the recent attacks on U.S. interests by Iranian-backed terrorist groups with airstrikes that signal a tough stance on Iran, a position the undersigned organizations hope to see continued through a foreign policy that prioritizes the humanitarian and security situation in Syria. These airstrikes make it clear that strong responses to Iran’s malign activities through its proxies in Syria can - and should - be a consistent feature of the administration’s regional strategy. 

The Syrian American Council and Americans for a Free Syria Applaud Extension and Redesignation of Temporary Protected Status For Syria

6,700 individuals stand to benefit from the extension, and 1,800 individuals stand to benefit from the redesignation

WASHINGTON D.C., January 29, 2021 –  Today, the Syrian American Council and Americans for a Free Syria applaud the Biden administration for its decision to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of Syria to September 2022, and to redesignate 1,800 individuals, making them eligible to file for TPS. TPS provides protection from deportation and permission to work for eligible nationals of countries that have been designated temporarily too dangerous for return. An estimated 8,500  people are set to benefit from the redesignation and extension. This decision provides a strong starting point for the new administration’s relationship with Syrian Americans and a Syria policy that promotes the safety of Syrian civilians and their aspirations for a free and democratic Syria.

The Syrian American Council Strongly Condemns Attack on United States Capitol

The members, staff, and supporters of the Syrian American Council and Americans for a Free Syria watched in disbelief as the basic values of American democracy were threatened in the Capitol on Wednesday.

WASHINGTON D.C., January 13, 2021 –  The Syrian American Council and Americans for a Free Syria mourn the senseless loss of life and strongly condemn the horrific attack on the U.S. Capitol last week. We also call upon the U.S. government to ensure that those responsible for these heinous crimes are held accountable, and specifically urges Congress to conduct an investigation into the incitement and disinformation which led to the attack.