On August 19, 2024, the Philippines and the United States governments announced they have reached an agreement on allowing a limited number of Afghan nationals to travel to the Philippines and stay there temporarily in order to complete procedures to obtain Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) and ultimately migrate to the U.S.
Background
Philippine authorities said the U.S. proposed this arrangement to provide SIVs for Afghans and their families who worked for the U.S. government while it conducted military operations in Afghanistan between 2001 and August 2021, when U.S. forces left the country.
Subsequently, the U.S. government launched a program to help certain groups of Afghan nationals to migrate to the United States, including those who worked with U.S. personnel during this period. It is known as “Operation Enduring Welcome” because the commitment does not have an end date. The program utilizes standard immigrant visas, Afghan SIVs, and the refugee admissions program to grant the new arrivals long-term immigration status.
Key Features of the Agreement
Under the agreement, applicants must be medically screened in Afghanistan, undergo security vetting by Philippine authorities, and obtain appropriate entry visas pursuant to its applicable laws and regulations before arriving in the Philippines.
Thereafter, the Philippines Bureau of Immigration has the authority to deny entry to any applicant in cases where applicable immigration examinations conducted at arrival so require.
Applicants will be authorized to stay in the Philippines for up to 59 days and will reside temporarily at a facility dedicated to Afghan relocation efforts.
The U.S. government has committed to ensuring that applicants have adequate educational and social support during their stay in this facility, in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration, which will serve as the facility manager.
The U.S. government will cover living expenses of the Afghans while in the Philippines, including housing, food, safety, transportation, and medical costs.
Status of the Agreement
According to the Philippine News Agency, an online news service of the Philippine government, the agreement must be ratified by Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. before it becomes effective. As of November 1, 2024, no information could be found on whether ratification had occured.
Gustavo Guerra, Law Library of Congress
November 4, 2024
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