The U.S. Embassy in Manila confirmed that almost 200 Afghan nationals have flown to the U.S. after their visas were processed in the Philippines. Their arrival in the Philippines occurred earlier this year, amidst an agreement to assist Afghan immigrants following the Taliban takeover. The process highlights diplomatic relations between the U.S. and the Philippines amid evolving geopolitical challenges.

The U.S. Embassy in Manila announced that nearly 200 Afghan nationals have recently departed for the United States following the processing of their special immigration visas in the Philippines. Their departure occurred last week, as part of a cooperative agreement between the U.S. and the Philippines. Embassy spokesperson Kanishka Gangopadhyay indicated that the Afghans, many of whom are children, previously arrived in the Philippines on January 6. The U.S. government financed their stay during the visa application process.

The resettlement of Afghan nationals follows the U.S. and NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan, which led to the Taliban’s seizure of power in August 2021. This political shift placed many Afghan supporters of the U.S. government at risk of retaliatory actions by the Taliban. Following discussions between President Joe Biden and Philippine leader Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Philippines agreed to host a visa processing center to assist the Afghan nationals, despite concerns over their safety. This move coincided with the ongoing strengthening of U.S.-Philippines military and defense relations.

In summary, nearly 200 Afghan nationals have successfully transitioned to the United States after their visas were processed in the Philippines, demonstrating international cooperation to aid vulnerable populations. While the efforts to resettle these individuals reflect a commitment to support Afghan allies, it also highlights ongoing geopolitical dynamics in relation to U.S. interests in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly in light of China’s assertive military posture.

Original Source: abcnews.go.com

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