As the Taliban advances, 200 Afghan interpreters and their families have arrived in the United States, the first of 2,500 Afghans being evacuated. The translators are being relocated as part of a visa program for people who worked with the US during the Taliban’s 20-year conflict, which concluded recently. They arrived early Friday morning and were transported to the military base of Fort Lee in Virginia.
As US officials seek to move qualified Afghans out of harm’s way, US President Joe Biden termed the arrivals “a milestone” and “the first of many.” Afghans who qualify for Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) will be transferred to the United States, American facilities overseas, or third nations to complete their applications. The latest arrivals have already finished an extensive training program.
The SIV program, which permitted interpreters and their families to relocate in the United States, was the State Department’s method of keeping that commitment. It’s been afflicted by delays and red tape practically since its beginning, and progress slowed to a dribble under former President Donald Trump’s administration.
Even if their applications of the translators are approved, the State Department says these Afghans must next travel to Kabul Airport, the country’s only airport still secured for US soldiers. However, according to a research conducted by the Association of Wartime Allies, more than 40% of the qualified interpreters live in areas not under the jurisdiction of the Afghan government.
The US Senate authorized more than $1 billion in funding for the evacuations, including accommodation and transportation, on Thursday. In addition to the visas currently awarded, the measure would simplify application standards, allowing for an additional 8,000 visas.
Following Vice President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw the remaining American soldiers from Afghanistan, the Taliban have been advancing. Those who worked with US forces over the past 20 years have been put in risk as a result of these advancements.
A non-profit organization called No One Left Behind estimates that at least 300 Afghans or their family members have been killed for collaborating with the US troops.
As international troops leave the country, fighting between the insurgent Taliban and Afghan government forces has intensified in recent months.
Lots of these interpreters worked for many years with the US military in their homeland, and were credited with saving the lives of US troops. Washington Center For Human Rights urges the Biden Administration to help these interpreters by accelerating the SIV process. We also argue Biden Administration to ensure that those left in Afghanistan waiting for their relocation are safe from Taliban, especially those who live in areas that are not under the jurisdiction of the Afghan government.