U.S., Philippines reach deal to assist Afghan allies

Hundreds of Afghan refugees will be temporarily relocated to the Philippines as part of a new pathway to U.S. resettlement.

The U.S. 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 temporarily relocating some of them to Southeast Asia as they await approval for U.S. visas and resettlement, U.S. and Philippine officials said.

The agreement was announced Monday evening, days after the third anniversary of the collapse of the U.S.-backed government in Kabul on Aug. 15, 2021, following President Joe Biden’s order that April to fully withdraw U.S. 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 U.S. visas are spread across the globe, often settling temporarily wherever they can 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 are a persistent problem.

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

U.S. officials anticipate that the program could be extended and possibly expanded after the initial few hundred Afghans move through the Philippines, effectively turning the island nation into another temporary “way station” for Afghans as they await resettlement in the United States.

“We’re going to continue to have ongoing discussions with the Philippines, and we’re really hoping that we can show we are good partners in this project,” a senior State Department official said.