Philippines to Temporarily Host Afghan Asylum Seekers En Route to the US
Manila and Washington announced that a limited number of Afghan asylum seekers will be temporarily hosted in the Philippines as they await resettlement in the United States. The exact timeline for the program is still being discussed, but both governments have confirmed that only a limited number of visa applicants will be accommodated.
Last year, plans to process potentially thousands of Muslim asylum seekers in the predominantly Catholic Philippines faced opposition on security grounds. There are an estimated 50,000 visa-seekers, including families of those who worked for the US-backed Afghan government ousted by the Taliban.
Under the agreement, asylum seekers will stay at a facility managed by the US State Department’s Afghan Relocation Efforts Coordinator, receiving necessary services such as food, housing, security, medical care, and transport. Each candidate must first obtain a Philippine visa and undergo medical screening in Afghanistan within 59 days of arrival.
Following the chaotic evacuation of August 2021, many Afghans fled their country seeking resettlement in the US. Those who collaborated with Western powers are assured safety by the Taliban, who are now urging them to return and aid in rebuilding Afghanistan.
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