A group of Afghan nationals arrived in the Philippines on Monday to process special immigrant visas for their resettlement in the US.
Their arrival comes as part of an agreement between the Filipino and American governments.
The Philippines agreed in July to temporarily host a US immigrant visa processing center for a limited number of Afghan nationals seeking to make the US their new home.
Afghan nationals who arrived in the Philippines on Monday were granted entry visas, according to Teresita Daza, spokesperson for the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs.
Blinken says he makes no apologies for ending America’s ‘longest war in Afghanistan’
Afghan special immigrant visa applicants arrived in the Philippines on Monday for processing before resettlement in the US (AP)
Daza said the Afghan nationals had completed extensive security checks before arriving and were given full medical examinations. He also said that the US government is covering the cost of his stay in the Philippines, including food, accommodation, security, medical and transportation expenses.
It is unclear how many Afghan nationals arrived in the Philippines or how long the visa process will take, but Philippines rules say visa applicants cannot stay for more than 59 days.
President Biden discussed the Philippines’ ability to host the processing center with Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his visit to the US last year. (AP)
A senior Filipino official said last year that only 150 to 300 applicants would be accommodated in the Philippines under a “one-time” agreement with the US government.
Afghan nationals seeking resettlement in the US primarily worked for the US government in Afghanistan or were considered eligible for US special immigrant visas, but were left behind during the chaotic withdrawal of troops and civilians from the country in 2021, As a result of which the Taliban had to withdraw. Control of the area.
Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan offered to resign over chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal: report
Secretary of State Antony Blinken initially floated the idea of the Philippines hosting the processing center in 2022 during talks with his Filipino counterpart. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Click here to get the Fox News app
Secretary of State Antony Blinken first requested his Filipino counterpart to host the processing center for the Philippines in 2022. President Biden later discussed the request with Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. when he visited the US last year.
Marcos Jr. has renewed ties with the US since winning the presidential election two years ago. About a year ago, he allowed the US military to expand its presence under a 2014 defense agreement, a move that irked Chinese officials.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
