PAAIA Announces Policy Recommendations for the 118th Congress

Washington, DC – The Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA), a non-profit, non-partisan organization that serves the interests of Iranian Americans and represents the community before U.S. policymakers and the American public, today announces the organization’s Policy Recommendations for the 118th Congress.

As the trusted Iranian American organization that members of Congress turn to for support and advice, PAAIA works to advance bipartisan legislative opportunities that serve the interests of our community, and in support of the democratic aspirations of the people of Iran.

PAAIA enters the new congressional session with an emboldened commitment to: 

– Support the democratic aspirations and human rights of the Iranian people.

• Encourage Congress to pass the bipartisan Concurrent Iran Resolution that supports the brave and courageous Iranian people
• Work with Congress and the Biden Administration to support internet freedom in Iran 
• Advocate for the release of Iranian American political prisoners & prisoners of conscience in Iran 
• Enhance human rights sanctions through existing authorities and new bipartisan legislation 
• Encourage and expedite asylum and/or visas for Iranians fleeing persecution 
• Enhance family remittances to better enable the transfer of funds from Iranian Americans to relatives in Iran

– Advance common-sense legal immigration reform and end discriminatory travel policies. 

• Advocate for Congress to pass the Temporary Family Visitation Act, PAAIA’s signature legislation which modernizes the federal visa system and makes it easier for families with loved ones living abroad to reunite for family visits 
• Enable Iranian medical students in the United States to be able to stay and work by encouraging Congress to reintroduce and pass the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act 
• Prevent any future discriminatory travel bans from being incorporated by encouraging Congress to reintroduce and pass the NO BAN Act 

– Recognize Iranian heritage and its contributions to the United States and the world.

• Pass an updated Nowruz Resolution 

The organization has also updated its Iran Action Hub to include the latest information on the new 118th Congress. So far, the Concurrent Iran Resolution has just been reintroduced and as of January 25th, 2023 has 60 cosponsors in the House of Representatives.