MANILA, Philippines — 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, the treaty allies announced Tuesday.
The Philippine government’s approval of the request, which initially faced local concerns over potential security and legal issues, reflects the deepening relations between Manila and Washington under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who took office in 2022.
The Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila stated that the agreement is undergoing final domestic procedures and requires ratification by President Marcos before taking effect. Specific details, such as the number of Afghans allowed to stay in the Philippines at any given time while their special immigrant visas for resettlement to the U.S. are processed, were not disclosed.
A senior Philippine official, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that only 150 to 300 applicants would be accommodated under this “one-time” deal. Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Assistant Secretary Teresita Daza mentioned that Afghan nationals must secure a visa to enter the Philippines and will undergo “full security vetting.” Each visa applicant can stay for no more than 59 days.
The U.S. government will cover the costs for the Afghan nationals' stay, 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 adequate social, educational, religious, and other support.
The U.S. State Department expressed gratitude to the Philippines for supporting Afghan allies of the United States and highlighted the long and positive history of bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
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 when Washington withdrew from the country as Taliban militants regained power in 2021.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken first relayed the request to his Philippine counterpart in 2022, and President Joe Biden discussed it during President Marcos' visit to the United States last year. Marcos mentioned that American officials had indicated a maximum of 1,000 Afghan nationals could stay in the Philippines at any one time while their visas are processed.
Despite the agreement, some Filipino officials have expressed concerns about potential security risks and legal issues, including the vetting process for Afghan nationals entering the Philippines.
