A group of Afghan nationals landed in the Philippines on Monday for processing of special immigrant visas for their resettlement in the United States.
Their arrival is part of an agreement between the Philippine and American governments.
The Philippines agreed in July to temporarily host a U.S. immigration visa processing center for a limited number of Afghan nationals seeking to make America their new home.
Afghan nationals who arrived in the Philippines on Monday were issued entry visas, according to Teresita Daza, spokesperson for the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs.
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Afghan special immigrant visa applicants landed in the Philippines for processing on Monday ahead of their resettlement to the United States. (PA)
Daza said the Afghan nationals completed extensive security checks and underwent full medical examinations before their arrival. She also said the U.S. government is covering the costs of their stay in the Philippines, including food, housing, security, medical care and transportation.
It is unclear how many Afghan nationals have arrived in the Philippines or how long visa processing will take, but Philippine rules state that visa applicants cannot stay more than 59 days.
President Biden discussed the Philippines’ potential to host the processing center with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his visit to the United States last year. (PA)
A senior Philippine official said last year that only 150 to 300 applicants would be hosted in the Philippines under the “one-off” deal with the U.S. government.
Afghan nationals seeking to settle in America worked primarily for the U.S. government in Afghanistan or were considered eligible for U.S. special immigrant visas, but were left behind during the chaotic withdrawal of troops and civilians from the country in 2021 , which led to the takeover by the Taliban. control of the region.
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Secretary of State Antony Blinken initially raised the idea of the Philippines hosting the processing center during a meeting with his Philippine counterpart in 2022. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
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Secretary of State Antony Blinken first requested the Philippines to host the processing center with his Philippine counterpart in 2022. President Biden later discussed this request with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his visit in the United States last year.
Marcos Jr. has renewed ties with the United States since his presidential election victory two years ago. Nearly a year ago, he authorized the U.S. military to expand its presence as part of a 2014 defense deal, a move that irked Chinese officials.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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