Philippines to host US visa processing center for Afghan allies

The Philippines will allow a limited number of Afghan nationals to stay in the country while their resettlement visas for the United States are processed, according to an agreement reached between Washington and Manila. 

The agreement demonstrates how the Biden administration has deepened ties with the government of Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The issue of hosting Afghan nationals had been drawn out for more than a year over Marcos raising “many security issues.”

The State Department announced the agreement on Monday, and said the U.S. would support necessary services for the Afghan nationals in the Philippines, including food, housing, security, medical needs, and transportation to complete visa processing. 

The Biden administration is continuing to try to process immigrant visas for Afghan nationals who worked alongside the U.S. over the two-decade war in Afghanistan but were left behind amid the Taliban’s lightning takeover of the country and the chaotic and deadly American exit in August 2021. The U.S. also works to allow refugee admission for Afghans considered vulnerable to violence and death under control of the Taliban.

The State Department did not say how many Afghan nationals would transit through the Philippines. 

A senior Philippine official told The Associated Press that only 150 to 300 applicants would be accommodated in the Philippines under the “one-time” deal. The AP reported that the official, who had knowledge of the negotiations, agreed to speak on condition of anonymity because of a lack of authority to speak publicly.

“The United States appreciates its long and positive history of bilateral cooperation with the Philippines and thanks the Philippine government for supporting Afghan allies of the United States,” the State Department said in a statement. 

The Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs said that the agreement is “currently undergoing the final domestic procedures required for effectivity.” 

The agreement comes as President Biden has worked to deepen military and security ties with the Philippines in the face of increased provocations and clashes with the Republic of China. In May 2023, the U.S. and Philippines agreed to new bilateral Defense Guidelines that increased cooperation on a number of fronts, including military and law enforcement cooperation and intelligence-sharing.