US Government Flies 200 Afghan National to US Embassy in Manila for Visa Interview to bring to USA on January 6th

[DELTAFOXTROT 75]

Looks like US Embassy in Manila just processed 200 Afghan National flown to Philippines via US Government planes to process SIV (Special Immigrant Visa) and put them on commercial flights (Sure paid for by US taxpayers) to USA who arrived in USA between January 15th to 17th.

 

I bet it was hard to get a Interiew date on Monday January 6th, and I am sure medical interivew was waived as well.  

 

I do find this interesting, and looks like more could be coming to US Embassy in Manila.

 

200 Afghan nationals complete visa processing, leave Philippines

 

[DELTAFOXTROT 75]

I suspect they were translators for US Military or worked as US Military Intelligence.  I see US Closed down Afghan Embassy in 2021. 

I wonder why it took so long time get them out of their?  US Military withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021 as well.

Anyone have a Embassy Interview on Monday Janurary 6th?

[spicynujac 38]

Over 3 years after the US withdrawal and Taliban victory, It's much more likely these are relatives of Afghanis already living in the USA, or what Americans informally call "chain migration."

The linked article states there are many children, which would corroborate this.

However, it also states the Afghans are receiving visas with a maximum stay of 59 days which makes little sense.

Hundreds of women and children on holiday in America in January during record low freezes?

Either there are some factual errors in the reporting or something else is going on.

The news was reported in a number of places, including domestic media like the Washington Post, so I'd imagine these are permanent immigrant families.  If they are indeed issued short term visas, it's probably just a formality or faster way of getting them permanent status once they are physically in the US.

 

The choice of Manila is bizarre.  One can only speculate.  But it wouldn't surprise me if the BongoBongo regime has become the nearest "American friendly" territory to process the visas.  

[Talako 789]

On 1/20/2025 at 3:32 AM, spicynujac said:

The choice of Manila is bizarre.  One can only speculate.  But it wouldn't surprise me if the BongoBongo regime has become the nearest "American friendly" territory to process the visas.  

 

The most prolific four countries for issuing visas in 2021 were Mexico, China, Dominican Republic, and Philippines.  Given that list, it is pretty apparent why they would choose Manila. 

Edited 12 hours ago by Talako