Event Summary
A recent Capitol Hill policy briefing sponsored by The Ben Franklin Fellowship and the Center for Immigration Studies examined the long-term security implications of the Biden administration’s Afghan evacuation program.
Bringing together foreign policy practitioners, immigration and national security experts, policymakers, congressional staff, and think tank analysts, the all-day symposium explored vulnerabilities in the vetting process, documented cases of mismanagement, bureaucratic failure, and overlooked warnings, and proposed policy solutions aimed at preventing future security failures. Speakers argued that the administration failed to fully implement promised screening safeguards, presented an overly optimistic public narrative that did not match operational realities, and prioritized rapid relocation over accountability and long-term security considerations affecting Americans at home. The discussion also examined how gaps in transparency and oversight contributed to public confusion and weakened confidence in the evacuation process.
Date and Location
January 22, 2026
Washington, DC
Introduction
Phil Linderman, Chairman, The Ben Franklin Fellowship
Mark Krikorian, Executive Director, Center for Immigration Studies
Keynote Address
Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), U.S. House of Representatives
Secondary Keynote Address
Andrew Veprek, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, U.S. Department of State
Featured Address
James Rogers, Senior Counsel, America First Legal Foundation
Panel I: Consequences of the Biden-era Afghan Relocation Program
Moderator: Mark Krikorian, Executive Director, Center for Immigration Studies
Dr. Nayla Rush, Senior Researcher, Center for Immigration Studies
Dr. Jason Richwine, Resident Scholar, Center for Immigration Studies
Panel II: Testimonials of Vulnerabilities, Fraud, and Corruption (Audio Only)
Moderator: Phil Linderman, Chairman, The Ben Franklin Fellowship
State Department whistleblower written statements
Former Afghan ally / DoD interpreter and whistleblower testimony
Panel III: Afghan Vetting - Can it be done?
Moderator: Mahvash Siddiqui, Foreign Service Officer, U.S. Department of State
Andrew “Art” Arthur, Resident Fellow in Law and Policy, Center for Immigration Studies
Jessica Vaughan, Director of Policy Studies, Center for Immigration Studies
Simon Hankinson, Senior Research Fellow, The Heritage Foundation
Panel IV: Congressional Solutions
Moderator: Marguerite Telford, Director of Communications, Center for Immigration Studies
Kaity Wolfe, Director of Oversight, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee
Grant Newman, Director of Government Relations, Immigration Accountability Project
Andrew “Art” Arthur, Resident Fellow in Law and Policy, Center for Immigration Studies
Conclusion
Mark Krikorian, Executive Director, Center for Immigration Studies
Event Highlights and Key Insights Recap
A concise overview featuring key moments, testimony highlights, and major policy takeaways from the full-day briefing.