HomeUS to re-home ‘up to 20,000' Afghan refugees

US to re-home ‘up to 20,000′ Afghan refugees

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The United States is planning to take in up to 20,000 Afghan refugees who are at risk of being targeted by the Taliban because of their role in the 20-year conflict.

As Taliban violence surges across the war-torn country ahead of America’s military withdrawal, the White House is expected to announce plans to ramp up efforts to re-home thousands of Afghan nationals later today (Monday).

This week, the State Department will launch the so-called “Priority Two” refugee programme, which will allow more Afghan citizens to apply for asylum in the United States than current rules allow.

Current and former employees of US-based news organisations, US-based aid and development agencies, and other relief organizations that receive US funding are now eligible for the expanded scheme.

Furthermore, current and former employees of the US government and NATO military operations who do not meet the criteria for a separate programme for such workers are also covered.

The US State Department stated in a statement that “many thousands” of Afghans and their immediate families will now be able to be permanently resettled in the US as refugees.

Officials have not stated how many people may be eligible for the programme, but it is believed that at least 20,000 people have expressed an interest.

‘The US objective remains a peaceful, secure Afghanistan’, the State Department said in a statement.

‘However, in light of increased levels of Taliban violence, the US government is working to provide certain Afghans, including those who worked with the United States, the opportunity for refugee resettlement to the United States.’

The creation of the Priority Two category for Afghans is intended for Afghans and their immediate families who ‘may be at risk due to their US affiliation’ and aren’t able to get a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) because they did not work directly for the US government or didn’t hold their government jobs long enough.

Around 2,500 Afghans with SIVs will be brought to the US as refugees in the coming days, the majority of whom worked as translators or in other capacities for US troops or diplomats. On Friday, the first group of 221 evacuees will arrive in the United States.

Another 4,000 SIV applicants and their families who have not yet passed the security screening are expected to be relocated to third countries before the US withdrawal is completed.

Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images

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