Afghans land in the Philippines for visa processing ahead of resettlement in US
A group of Afghan nationals arrived in the Philippines on Monday as part of a special immigrant visa processing program for their resettlement in the United States. This initiative is a result of an agreement between the Filipino and U.S. governments, with the Philippines agreeing to host a U.S. immigrant visa processing center for a limited number of Afghan nationals.
According to Teresita Daza, a spokesperson for the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs, the Afghan nationals who landed in the Philippines on Monday were issued entry visas after completing extensive security vetting and undergoing full medical screenings. The U.S. government is covering all expenses for their stay in the Philippines, including food, housing, security, medical, and transportation costs.
It is not specified how many Afghan nationals have arrived in the Philippines or how long the visa processing will take. However, under Philippine rules, visa applicants cannot stay for more than 59 days.
Last year, a senior Filipino official stated that only 150 to 300 applicants would be accommodated in the Philippines under the “one-time” deal with the U.S. government. These Afghan nationals seeking resettlement in the U.S. primarily worked for the U.S. government in Afghanistan or were eligible for special immigrant visas but were unable to leave during the chaotic withdrawal of troops and civilians in 2021, which led to the Taliban regaining control of the region.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken initially proposed the idea of the Philippines hosting the processing center to his Filipino counterpart in 2022. President Biden further discussed the request with Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his visit to the U.S. last year.
President Marcos Jr. has strengthened relations with the U.S. since winning the presidential election two years ago. Nearly a year ago, he allowed the American military to expand its presence under a 2014 defense agreement, a move that drew criticism from Chinese officials.
The arrival of Afghan nationals in the Philippines marks a significant step in their journey towards resettlement in the U.S. This collaborative effort between the two governments underscores their commitment to supporting and assisting those who have been affected by the events in Afghanistan.
