A significant group of Afghan nationals recently landed in the Philippines to initiate the process of obtaining special immigrant visas, aiming for resettlement in the United States. This development stems from a bilateral agreement between Manila and Washington.
According to Teresita Daza, spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs, these Afghan individuals were granted entry visas into the Philippines after completing comprehensive security checks and medical examinations. Upon their arrival, the United States government ensured coverage of all expenses related to their stay, including food, housing, security, medical care, and transportation.
The agreement, reached last July, designates the Philippines as a temporary host for a U.S. immigrant visa processing center. This arrangement is limited to accommodating a select number of Afghans, ranging from 150 to 300 individuals, as disclosed by a senior Philippine official under anonymity. The official mentioned that this deal is a ‘one-time’ occurrence.
These Afghan nationals are primarily individuals who worked with the U.S. government in Afghanistan or those qualifying for special immigrant visas. They faced challenges following the U.S. withdrawal and the subsequent takeover by Taliban forces in 2021. As a result, the U.S. sought assistance from international allies to facilitate the relocation of these individuals.
The initiative was first introduced by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in 2022, and further discussions were held between U.S. President Joe Biden and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during Biden’s visit to the United States last year. This move is seen as part of efforts by Marcos to strengthen ties with the United States since his election, which came by a large majority two years earlier.
In February of the previous year, President Marcos permitted an expansion of the U.S. military presence in the Philippines under a defense agreement established in 2014. This decision, however, caused friction with China, highlighting the delicate geopolitical balance in the region.
The arrival of Afghan nationals in the Philippines for U.S. visa processing reflects the continued global efforts to provide resettlement options for those who assisted the U.S. government. This milestone underscores the collaboration between the Philippines and the United States.
Source: News4jax
