840000 "wartime allies" are still waiting for the United States in Afghanistan
According to a report by the Associated Press on September 1st, over 840000 Afghans who have applied for a resettlement project are still waiting locally, targeting those who have helped the United States in the Afghan war. This report demonstrates that the United States is attempting to address the challenges faced by its allies during the 20-year long war in Afghanistan.
The report, released by the Inspector General of the United States Department of State on August 31st, outlines the measures taken by the Department to improve the special immigration visa processing procedures for Afghans. However, two years after the United States withdrew its troops from Afghanistan and the Taliban regained power, challenges still exist.
This social media video screenshot from August 25, 2021 shows people waiting outside Kabul Airport in Afghanistan. Xinhua News Agency/Reuters
The visa program began in 2009 and aims to assist Afghans who have worked alongside Americans and thus taken on significant risks. There is also a similar project targeting the Iraqi people. Both projects have been criticized. Critics say that the project is progressing too slowly, putting the applicant in a dangerous position.
Since the United States left Afghanistan, the number of applicants for this type of visa has surged. The report states that the number of applicants in October 2021 was slightly below 30000, but by December 2022, the number of applicants had increased to approximately 155000. These numbers do not include family members who can be resettled together with the applicant after the application is approved.
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The report states that the US State Department estimates that as of April this year, over 840000 applicants for special visa programs and their families are still staying in Afghanistan. Not all applicants will be accepted. The State Council mentioned that during a critical stage of the application process, approximately 50% of applicants are unable to pass the review.
The report states that the US State Department has hired more personnel to process applications, collaborated with the Pentagon to verify the employment status of applicants, and cancelled some of the steps that applicants need to complete. But the report suggests that the State Council can do more. For example, the report mentions that a key position in monitoring the special immigration visa process often experiences personnel changes and vacancies.