![First round of Afghans who helped U.S. military to be temporarily housed at Fort Lee](https://cbsnews2.cbsistatic.com/hub/i/r/2021/06/08/17324306-13d0-41e5-beac-a949743713d5/thumbnail/1200x630/0dfca7f7c0e7cbd9b4288d1b44502ebf/ap21135438310658.jpg)
First round of Afghans who helped U.S. military to be temporarily housed at Fort Lee
CBSN
Approximately 2,500 Afghans who helped the U.S. military are headed to Fort Lee, Virginia, to complete their special immigrant visa application process, according to an NSC notification viewed by CBS News and confirmed by a senior Congressional source.
The memo, sent from the State Department to Congress, says the first round of the SIV applicants will be temporarily housed at Fort Lee while they finish the vetting process. There, they'll undergo medical screening and the "final administrative requirements," the document states. The Biden administration announced "Operation Allies Refuge" this past Thursday to support Afghans who helped the U.S. during the 20-year war and now face threats from the Taliban.![](/newspic/picid-6252001-20250216030556.jpg)
This story previously aired on Feb. 10, 2024. It was updated on Feb. 15, 2025. AMIE HARWICK (video): You can seek therapy to address an issue like depression, anxiety, a breakup. You can also seek therapy to be a better you! GARETH PURSEHOUSE (voicemail): I have so much I need to say. Please give me a chance to just say it. … Please (crying) please.
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