State Dept. won't say what happens to Afghan evacuees who fail ‘rigorous’ vetting process

The State Department on Thursday refused to clarify what happens to Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants evacuated from Afghanistan that fail the “rigorous” vetting process.

But when pressed by reporters as to what happens to those who do not pass the vetting process, the State Department spokesman said he would not "detail publicly" what happens in those situations – including whether they could face being sent back to the now Taliban-controlled country.  The Biden administration has repeatedly said it will honor its commitment to Afghans who worked with U.S. or coalition forces during the 20-year war in Afghanistan by admitting them to the U.S. through the SIV program.