U.S. State Department Issues Tens of Thousands of Visas to Afghan Allies Post-Withdrawal

In the aftermath of the Biden administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, the State Department has granted tens of thousands of visas to Afghans who assisted the U.S. government, as reported by the lead inspector general to the United States Congress on Thursday.

Following the withdrawal, the Taliban gained control over Afghanistan, resulting in widespread displacement and chaos. As part of the U.S. initiative to welcome refugees fleeing Afghanistan, the State Department has issued approximately 34,000 special immigrant visas (SIV) to Afghans and their immediate family members, according to the Inspector General report.

A special immigrant visa provides permanent residence to Afghans who supported the U.S. government in various capacities, such as serving as translators, interpreters, or directly working as employees for the U.S. government, according to the Immigration Forum.

The report indicates that 15,500 Afghan SIVs were issued in the first six months of 2023, compared to around 9,000 during the corresponding period in 2022. Currently, the State Department is processing applications from 13,187 individuals seeking SIVs.

In addition to the SIV program, Operation Allies Welcome has facilitated the resettlement of approximately 90,000 Afghan refugees in the U.S., according to the State Department. The complete withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021 resulted in a suicide bombing at the Kabul airport, leading to the deaths of 13 U.S. servicemembers.

Despite ongoing challenges, the Biden administration maintains that the decision to withdraw from Afghanistan was the correct policy choice. President Joe Biden emphasized in June that the evidence supported the belief that help would come from the Taliban.

The subsequent Taliban takeover in August 2021 has been marked by human rights violations, with reports of killings and torture targeting former members of Afghanistan’s army. The U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan has highlighted an atmosphere of fear persisting among those who survived.

As of the time of reporting, the State Department has not provided an immediate response to requests for comment.

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