Afghans who came to PH for special visa processing have all flown out — US Embassy | ABS-CBN
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Afghans who came to PH for special visa processing have all flown out — US Embassy
Afghans who came to PH for special visa processing have all flown out — US Embassy
ABS-CBN News
Published Jan 19, 2025 11:30 AM PHT
Flight operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. ABS-CBN News/File
Flight operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA — Afghan nationals who came to the Philippines while their Special Immigrant Visas were being processed have left the country, the US Embassy said Sunday, adding the US government is grateful for the support.
MANILA — Afghan nationals who came to the Philippines while their Special Immigrant Visas were being processed have left the country, the US Embassy said Sunday, adding the US government is grateful for the support.
The US wrote the Philippine government in 2022 to request the temporary stay of a "limited number" of Afghan nationals, a request that raised questions on their identity and on national security.
The US wrote the Philippine government in 2022 to request the temporary stay of a "limited number" of Afghan nationals, a request that raised questions on their identity and on national security.
"Just under 200 Afghan nationals arrived in the Philippines on January 6 for final processing of their Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applications at the U.S. Embassy in Manila," US Embassy spokesperson Kanishka Gangopadhyay said in a statement to media.
"Just under 200 Afghan nationals arrived in the Philippines on January 6 for final processing of their Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applications at the U.S. Embassy in Manila," US Embassy spokesperson Kanishka Gangopadhyay said in a statement to media.
"All departed the Philippines for immigration to the United States aboard commercial flights between January 15 and 17."
"All departed the Philippines for immigration to the United States aboard commercial flights between January 15 and 17."
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According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, the US has been processing and issuing around 1,500 SIVs a year "for Afghan nationals who worked for or on behalf of the US government in Afghanistan" who "provided faithful and valuable service" and are under "ongoing serious threat" because of their work.
According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, the US has been processing and issuing around 1,500 SIVs a year "for Afghan nationals who worked for or on behalf of the US government in Afghanistan" who "provided faithful and valuable service" and are under "ongoing serious threat" because of their work.
Applicants must have recommendations from a US citizen or national who was their supervisor as well as the approval of the Chief of Mission .
Applicants must have recommendations from a US citizen or national who was their supervisor as well as the approval of the Chief of Mission .
They also have to pass a background and security check by the US Department of Homeland Security.
They also have to pass a background and security check by the US Department of Homeland Security.
Afghanistan has been under Taliban control since 2021.
Afghanistan has been under Taliban control since 2021.
"The government of the United States extends deep appreciation to the government of the Philippines for their cooperation and support for U.S. efforts to assist Afghan Special Immigrants," Gangopadhyay also said.
"The government of the United States extends deep appreciation to the government of the Philippines for their cooperation and support for U.S. efforts to assist Afghan Special Immigrants," Gangopadhyay also said.
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