- Special immigrant visas will be issued to Afghans who help the United States but are at risk of retaliation.
- US Secretary of State Anthony Brinken said that there are approximately 18,000 possible applicants.
- Since December 2014, the United States has issued more than 26,000 such visas.
The U.S. House of Representatives approved a plan on Thursday to allow an additional 8,000 special immigrant visas to be provided to Afghans helping the U.S., who are at risk of retaliation after the U.S. military has withdrawn from Afghanistan after 20 years of war.
The bipartisan bill was passed by a vote of 407 to 16, and will now be considered by the Senate. It also aims to speed up the processing of visas.
Democratic Rep. Jason Crow, who leads the bill’s panel, said that the additional visas would cover all applicants who may be eligible. U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Brinken admitted last month that there are approximately 18,000 possible applicants.
The Special Immigrant Visa Program is for Afghans who have worked in the U.S. government or the U.S. military. Since December 2014, the United States has issued 26,500 such visas.
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After Biden stated that the U.S. military mission in Afghanistan will officially end on August 31, President Joe Biden’s administration has been facing pressure from lawmakers and advocacy groups to begin the evacuation of thousands of applicants and their families.
Democratic Rep. Earl Blumenauer said: “There has been no need for a long time to ensure the safety of those who risk their lives to help Americans in these difficult circumstances have a sense of urgency.”
In recent weeks, fighting between the US-backed Afghan army and the Taliban has intensified, and militants have acquired territory and occupied border crossing points, which has also increased concerns about applicants.
The United States will begin to evacuate special immigrant visa applicants from Afghanistan this month, and the first batch will be sent to a military base in Virginia to wait for the completion of the procedure.
The U.S.-backed Afghan army overthrew the Taliban at the end of 2001 because it provided refuge to Al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden and attacked the United States on September 11, 2001.
