A group of Afghan nationals landed in the Philippines on Monday to be processed for special immigrant visas for resettlement in the United States.
Their arrival came as part of an agreement between the Philippine and U.S. governments.
In July, the Philippines agreed to temporarily host a U.S. immigrant visa processing center for a limited number of Afghans who want to make the United States their new home.
Entry visas were issued to Afghan nationals who landed in the Philippines on Monday, said Teresita Daza, spokesperson for the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs.
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An Afghan special immigrant visa applicant entered the Philippines on Monday for processing ahead of resettlement in the United States. (AP)
Daza said the Afghan nationals completed extensive security screening and underwent a full medical examination before arriving. He also said the U.S. government is paying for his stay in the Philippines, including food, housing, security, medical and transportation costs.
It is unclear how many Afghans have arrived in the Philippines or how long the visa process will take, but Philippine rules state that visa applicants cannot stay for more than 59 days.
During President Biden's visit to the United States last year, he discussed the possibility of the Philippines hosting the processing center with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (AP)
A senior Philippine official said last year that the country would only accept between 150 and 300 applicants under a “one-time” agreement with the US government.
Afghan nationals seeking resettlement in the United States primarily worked for the U.S. government in Afghanistan or were considered eligible for U.S. special immigrant visas, but the disorderly withdrawal of troops and civilians from Afghanistan in 2021 It was left behind and was recaptured by the Taliban. Regional control.
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Secretary of State Antony Blinken initially floated the idea of the Philippines hosting a processing center during talks with the Philippine side in 2022. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
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Secretary of State Antony Blinken first asked the Philippines to host a processing center there in 2022. President Biden later discussed the request with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during a visit to the United States last year.
Marcos Jr. has renewed ties with the United States since emboldened by his presidential election victory two years ago. Almost a year ago, he authorized an expanded U.S. military presence under a 2014 defense agreement, a move that angered Chinese officials.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
