On Monday, the United States (US) announced its decision to expand the eligibility criteria for Afghan nationals seeking refugee status in the country. It primarily aims to protect citizens of Afghanistan who may face threats from the Taliban due to their affiliation with American organisations.
A press release by the US government stated, “This designation expands the opportunity to permanently resettle in the United States to many thousands of Afghans and their immediate family members who may be at risk due to their US affiliation.” Accordingly, such Afghans will be granted a Priority 2 designation, which includes “groups of special concern designated by the Department of State as having access to the programme by virtue of their circumstances and apparent need for resettlement.”
The announcement is specifically for Afghan nationals who worked with the US organisations but failed to be eligible for a Special Immigrant Visa since they did not have qualifying employment or did not spend enough time in service to be eligible. It includes “employees of contractors, locally-employed staff, interpreters/translators for the US government, United States Forces Afghanistan (USFOR-A), International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), or Resolute Support.” In addition, it extends the refugee status to Afghans who are or were employed by the US-funded programmes or worked in the US-based media organisations.
The statement mentioned that the decision was taken due to “increased levels of Taliban violence.” Several commentators have blamed the withdrawal of US troops for the surge in violence in Afghanistan. Furthermore, Monday’s announcement has also been criticised for merely providing the Afghans with refugee status and stipulating that the US government does not intend on assisting them in leaving the country or supporting them through the year-long adjudication procedure. It is unlike the 200 interpreters who were brought into the US on Friday through Operation Allied Refuge.
According to an official quoted by The Guardian, the US is likely to seek the assistance of countries like Pakistan and urge them to open their borders to Afghan refugees. However, Pakistan is unlikely to commit to this, given its long-standing support for the Taliban. Moreover, Pakistani National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf, speaking at a press conference in Washington DC, said Pakistan had reached its limit for accepting Afghan refugees and would not take any more.
Although the US announcement aims to help the distraught Afghans, it seems destined to fail so long as there is no plan to assist the refugees to escape the war-torn country.
US Announces Expansion of Refugee Programme For At-Risk Afghans
The US State Department said refugee status would be guaranteed to all current and former Afghan employees of American media and aid organisations.
August 3, 2021
SOURCE: DEMOCRACY NOW