A group of Afghan citizens arrived in the Philippines on Monday to undergo special immigrant visa processing for resettlement in the United States.
This arrival is a result of a bilateral agreement between the Philippine and U.S. governments.
The Philippines agreed in July to temporarily host a U.S. immigrant visa processing facility for a limited number of Afghan nationals seeking to relocate to the U.S.
According to Teresita Daza, spokesperson for the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, the Afghans received entry visas upon arrival.
Daza confirmed that these individuals had undergone comprehensive security vetting and medical screenings prior to their arrival. She also stated that the U.S. government is covering all expenses associated with their stay in the Philippines, including accommodation, food, security, medical care, and transportation.
The exact number of Afghans who arrived and the duration of the visa processing remain undisclosed, although Philippine regulations limit visa applicants’ stay to 59 days.
A senior Philippine official previously indicated that the “one-time” arrangement with the U.S. government would accommodate only 150 to 300 applicants.
These Afghan nationals seeking resettlement primarily worked for the U.S. government in Afghanistan or qualified for U.S. special immigrant visas but were left behind during the chaotic 2021 withdrawal of U.S. troops and civilians, which led to the Taliban regaining control.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken initially requested the Philippines host the processing center in 2022, a request later discussed with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his U.S. visit last year.
Marcos Jr. has strengthened ties with the U.S. since his presidential election victory two years ago. Almost a year ago, he authorized an expansion of the American military presence under a 2014 defense agreement, a decision that displeased Chinese officials.