300 eligible Afghan allies seeking asylum from the Taliban-ruled country will wait in the Philippines for the completion of processing.
The State Department announced that the Philippines has agreed to allow some Afghan nationals to stay in their country while they await Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) and resettlement in the U.S. These Afghan citizens were allies of the U.S. military during its conflict in Afghanistan and were promised visas when America withdrew from the country in 2021.
President Biden’s administration is still processing all of the visas necessary for these allies, but also wants to help them leave Afghanistan to avoid Taliban violence. The Philippines will house around 300 qualified Afghans in a “one-time” deal, offering them food, housing, and medical care with support from the U.S.
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said the agreement is “currently undergoing the final domestic procedures required for effectivity.”
The State Department expressed gratitude for this agreement, stating, “The United States appreciates its long and positive history of bilateral cooperation with the Philippines and thanks the Philippine government for supporting Afghan allies of the United States.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Secretary Antony Blinken to seek God’s direction as he heads the State Department.
- For U.S. diplomats to be discerning as they engage foreign officials and ministers on mutual concerns.
Sources: The Hill, State Department
