The Philippines has agreed to a request by the United States to temporarily host a U.S. immigrant visa processing center for a limited number of Afghan nationals aspiring to resettle in America. This decision reflects the deepening relations between Manila and Washington under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who took office in 2022.
The agreement is currently undergoing final domestic procedures and needs to be ratified by Marcos before taking effect. The Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila has not disclosed the exact number of Afghan nationals that will be allowed to stay in the Philippines while their special immigrant visas for resettlement to the U.S. are being processed.
According to a senior Philippine official, only 150 to 300 applicants will be accommodated in the Philippines under this 'one-time' deal. Afghan nationals must secure a visa to enter the Philippines and will undergo full security vetting, with a maximum stay of 59 days per applicant.
The U.S. government will cover the costs for the stay of the Afghan nationals, including food, housing, security, medical, and transportation expenses. The International Organization for Migration will manage the facility where the Afghan visa applicants will be housed, ensuring they receive necessary support.
The Afghan nationals eligible for resettlement primarily worked for the U.S. government in Afghanistan or were deemed eligible for U.S. special immigrant visas but were left behind during the chaotic period in 2021 when Taliban militants regained power.
President Joe Biden discussed the request for hosting Afghan nationals with Marcos during his visit to the United States last year. Marcos had been informed that a maximum of 1,000 Afghan nationals could stay in the Philippines at any one time while their special immigrant visas are processed.
While some Filipino officials have expressed concerns about potential security risks and legal issues, Marcos has emphasized the importance of addressing logistical challenges to ensure the smooth operation of the program. There are also considerations about the fate of Afghan nationals whose U.S. visa applications are stalled or rejected.
Since assuming office, Marcos has strengthened relations with the U.S., including allowing an expansion of American military presence under a 2014 defense agreement. This decision has drawn warnings from China about potential implications for regional stability.
