31 July,2021 05:42 AM IST | Washington | Agencies
People wait to process a biometric registration to submit their passport applications at an office in Kabul. Pic/AFP
The first group of 200 Afghans who helped US soldiers and diplomats in Afghanistan arrived in the US under Operation Allies Refuge on Friday, even as thousands more await in Afghanistan in increasing fear of Taliban reprisals.
The first flight evacuating Afghan interpreters and others who worked alongside the United States forces in Afghanistan has landed at Washington Dulles International Airport, the US government has announced.
"The first group of applicants to be relocated under Operation Allies Refuge has arrived at Fort Lee, Virginia, where they will finish the remaining steps on their path to becoming America's newest immigrants - joining 70,000 Afghan special immigrants who have become permanent residents and started new lives in the United States since 2008," the US State Department said.
"America has a longstanding tradition of opening our arms to immigrants, refugees, and others, and this flight stands as the latest example. We, alongside our civil society partners and tens of thousands of volunteers across our nation, look forward to greeting our Afghan friends and partners. It is my great pleasure to say to them: "welcome to your new home," it added.
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Congress has overwhelmingly passed emergency legislation that would bolster security at the Capitol, repay outstanding debts from the violent January 6 insurrection and increase the number of visas for allies who worked alongside Americans in the Afghanistan war. The $2.1 billion bill now goes to President Joe Biden for his signature.
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