A LIMITED number of Afghan refugees will stay in the Philippines as per request of the United States while their visas are being processed, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
The Foreign Affairs department said Manila and Washington agreed that the Afghan nationals would be transiting to the Philippines “to complete their visa processing for Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) and resettlement to the United States.
The agreement, however, will not involve the “admission or hosting of Afghan refugees,” said DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza.
The DFA clarified that the US government would support the necessary services for the Afghans, including their food, housing, security, medical and transportation to complete visa processing.
“The agreement is currently undergoing the final domestic procedures required for effectivity,” the agency said.
In June 2023, the DFA confirmed talks with the US government about the prospect of allowing the refugees to enter the country while they were awaiting papers to enter the United States.
