The Biden administration is expanding the group of Afghans who could be granted refugee status to escape the growing threat of the Taliban across Afghanistan, the State Department announces.
Danish Siddiqui/Reuters
, the new policy will apply only to Afghans who have left the country and will take at least over a year for their cases to be processed, according to senior State Department officials -- even as the risk to these Afghans is urgent.
The administration has been under pressure, especially from Republican and Democrat lawmakers and U.S. veterans' groups, to do more to help Afghans who worked with or for the U.S. during two decades of war and development - and who therefore may be at greater risk of retaliatory attacks by the Taliban.
But the refugee resettlement process takes several months, if not years, including intensive security vetting, and the process will require Afghan applicants to leave the country, according to senior State Department officials - something that many cannot afford, cannot risk, or cannot manage. Some 750 and their dependents - 2,500 in total - who have been granted approval by the U.S. embassy in Kabul and cleared security vetting will be moved to Fort Lee, a U.S. Army base in central Virginia. The first of them arrived last Friday, with a second flight with several hundred more arriving early Monday, according to a U.S. official.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
Afghan forces battle to defend major cities from Taliban offensiveHeavy fighting continues in at least three provincial capitals, with government forces beating back fresh attacks to keep Helmand’s Lashkar Gah from falling to the insurgent group.
Consulte Mais informação »
Afghan forces battle Taliban for control of southern cityTaliban fighters pushed deeper into the southern Afghan provincial capital of Lashkargahon Monday and closed in on government buildings, a senior official said, as the insurgents pressed a rapid advance.
Consulte Mais informação »
Government forces combat Taliban incursions on key Afghan citiesFlights from Kandahar airport were cancelled when rockets hit the runway, an official said, as the Taliban pressed on with their sweeping offensive across the country.
Consulte Mais informação »
U.S. Expands Refugee Aid Program for Afghans Following Rise in Taliban ViolenceThe U.S. will expand eligibility for Afghans seeking admission to the U.S. as refugees, the State Department said, citing increasing levels of Taliban violence amid the U.S. troop withdrawal.
Consulte Mais informação »
Biden administration expands eligibility for Afghan refugee programmeUS State Department says it is widening the scope of at-risk Afghans eligible for refugee status to include current and former employees of US-based news organisations, aid and development agencies.
Consulte Mais informação »
Biden administration to open door to more Afghans to relocate to U.S. over Taliban dangerThe Biden administration plans to allow more Afghans to relocate to the U.S. as refugees because of the growing threat of Taliban violence, the State Dept. says.
Consulte Mais informação »