A group of Afghan citizens arrived in the Philippines on Monday to process special immigrant visas for their resettlement in the US
Their arrival comes as part of an agreement between the governments of the Philippines and the US.
The Philippines agreed in July to host a temporary US immigrant visa processing center for a limited number of Afghan nationals who want to make America their new home.
Afghan nationals who arrived in the Philippines on Monday have been issued entry visas, according to Teresita Daza, spokesperson of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs.
BLINKEN SAYS 'NO APOLOGY' FOR ENDING AMERICA'S LONGEST WAR IN AFGHANISTAN.
Afghan Special Visa applicants arrived in the Philippines for processing on Monday ahead of deportation to the US. (AP)
Daza said Citizens of Afghanistan they had completed an extensive security check and a thorough medical check-up before arrival. He added that the US government pays for their stay in the Philippines, including food, accommodation, security, medical and transportation costs.
It is not clear how many Afghans have arrived in the Philippines or how long the visas will be valid, but Philippine rules state that visa applicants cannot stay longer than 59 days. .
President Biden discussed the ability of the Philippines to host the facility with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. when he visited the US last year. (AP)
A senior Philippine official said last year that only 150 to 300 applicants would be accepted in the Philippines under a “one-time” deal with the US government.
Afghan citizens who want to return to America were working for the US government in Afghanistan or were considered eligible for special US immigrant visas but were left behind during the chaos of the withdrawal. and civilians in the country in 2021, which resulted in the Taliban retreating. space management.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken floated the idea of the Philippines hosting the facility when he spoke to his Philippine counterpart in 2022. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Secretary of State Antony Blinken made the first request for the Philippines to host the mission to his Philippine counterpart in 2022. President Biden he later discussed the request with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. when he visited the US last year.
Marcos Jr. He has restored relations with the US since he came to the shores of the presidential election two years ago. About a year ago, he allowed the US military to expand its presence under a 2014 defense accord, a move that angered Chinese officials.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.