US, Philippines reach new deal to assist Afghan resettlement

The US and Philippine governments have reached a deal to create a new pathway to the United States for Afghan allies who assisted the American war eff...

The US and Philippine governments have reached a deal to create a new pathway to the United States for Afghan allies who assisted the American war effort, relying on temporary relocation to Southeast Asia as they await approval for US visas and resettlement, US and Philippine officials said.

The agreement is due to be announced as soon as Tuesday, days after the third anniversary of the US-backed government in Kabul’s collapse on Aug. 15, 2021, following President Joe Biden’s order that April to fully withdraw US troops. The ensuing crisis remains a low point of the Biden administration and a persistent electoral cudgel for Republicans.

It was not immediately clear where the Afghans initially approved for transport to the Philippines are now. Tens of thousands of Afghans who are potentially eligible for visas in the United States are spread across the globe, often settling temporarily wherever they could get approval.

In the three years since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, the new government has reimposed strict religious controls, curtailing almost all rights for women and girls, while hunting and killing those who helped Americans. Human rights workers have warned that such revenge killings remain a persistent problem.

The new plan will be part of Operation Enduring Welcome, the Biden administration’s ongoing effort to resettle Afghan allies. It calls for the Philippine government to process a few hundred Afghans - about 300 - for resettlement as they await approval of special immigrant visas and resettlement in the United States, US officials briefed on the matter said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.