A group of Afghan nationals landed in the Philippines Monday for the processing of special immigrant visas for their resettlement in the US
Their arrival comes as part of an agreement between the Philippine and US governments.
The Philippines agreed in July to temporarily host a U.S. immigrant visa processing center for a limited number of Afghan nationals who want to make America their new home.
Afghan nationals who landed in the Philippines on Monday were granted entry visas, according to Teresita Daza, a spokesperson for the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs.
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Afghan special immigrant visa applicants landed in the Philippines on Monday for processing ahead of resettlement in the US (AP)
Daza said the Afghan nationals had undergone extensive security checks and a full medical screening before arriving. She also said the U.S. government will cover the costs of their stay in the Philippines, including food, housing, security, medical expenses and transportation costs.
It is unclear how many Afghan nationals have arrived in the Philippines or how long visa processing will take, but Philippines rules stipulate that visa applicants cannot stay longer than 59 days.
President Biden discussed the Philippines’ potential to host the processing center with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. when he visited the US last year. (AP)
A senior Philippine official said last year that only 150 to 300 asylum seekers would be housed in the Philippines under the “one-time” deal with the US government.
The Afghan nationals seeking resettlement in America primarily worked for the U.S. government in Afghanistan or qualified for special U.S. immigrant visas, but were left behind during the chaotic withdrawal of troops and civilians from the country in 2021, which led to the Taliban took back their land. control over the region.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken initially floated the idea of the Philippines hosting the processing center when he spoke to his Philippine counterpart in 2022. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
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Secretary of State Antony Blinken first requested the Philippines in 2022 to place the processing center with his Philippine counterpart. President Biden later discussed the request with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. when he visited the US last year.
Marcos Jr. has renewed ties with the US since cruising to victory in the presidential election two years ago. Nearly a year ago, he allowed the U.S. military to expand its presence under a 2014 defense deal, a move that upset Chinese officials.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
