MANILA – The Philippine government has agreed to the United States’ request to temporarily accommodate Afghan nationals while they process their Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for eventual resettlement in the US, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed on Tuesday (20 Aug 2024).
In an official statement, the DFA announced that Manila and Washington DC have come to an agreement to allow a limited number of Afghan allies to transit through the Philippines to complete their visa processing.
“The US government will provide essential services for the Afghan nationals temporarily staying in the Philippines, including food, housing, security, medical care, and transportation to finalize visa procedures,” the DFA stated. They also mentioned that the agreement is currently undergoing the final domestic procedures needed for implementation.
Details regarding the number of Afghans covered by this arrangement have not yet been disclosed.
Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez revealed that the US made the proposal in October 2022. The plan is intended solely for the processing of special immigration visas for Afghans and their families who were previously employed by the US government.
The situation arose after the Taliban took control of Kabul in August 2021, leading to a chaotic withdrawal of American forces and leaving thousands of Afghan nationals who had worked with the US mission stranded.
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