Philippines to Host Afghan Refugees Temporarily Under U.S. Deal.
The Philippines has agreed to temporarily host a limited number of Afghan refugees while their resettlement process to the United States is completed. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Manila announced the deal on Tuesday.
Under this agreement, Afghan nationals applying for a “special immigrant visa” to the U.S. will be allowed to stay in the Philippines for up to two months. The deal was revealed shortly after the Taliban marked the third anniversary of their return to power in Afghanistan on August 15, 2021.
In a statement, the DFA explained, “The Philippines and the United States have agreed to permit a limited number of Afghan nationals to transit through the Philippines to finalize their visa processing and resettlement to the U.S.”
The U.S. has committed to providing necessary services for these individuals, including food, housing, security, medical care, and transportation. However, both the Philippine foreign office and the U.S. State Department have not disclosed the number of refugees involved. The Philippine Embassy in Washington did not respond immediately to requests for further information.
The DFA indicated that the deal is still undergoing final domestic procedures and will require the signature of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to become effective. According to DFA spokeswoman Ma. Teresita Daza, “All applicants will be subject to full security vetting by Philippine authorities and must obtain an appropriate entry visa before arrival, in compliance with Philippine laws and regulations.”
The U.S. will cover all costs related to airfare and housing for the Afghan nationals. Daza confirmed that each applicant would undergo all necessary clearances before arriving.
The U.S. Embassy in Manila stated that visa applicants will temporarily reside at a U.S.-operated center in the Philippines but declined to provide specific details for security reasons. The embassy also noted that discussions with Philippine officials are ongoing regarding the timeline for this plan.
The U.S. State Department expressed gratitude to Manila for its support, highlighting the strong and positive history of bilateral cooperation between the two nations. Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez remarked that Washington views Manila as a trusted ally capable of handling this humanitarian effort.
Romualdez noted, “These people and their families could be in danger if they remain in Afghanistan. The Philippines, as a trusted ally, is a logical place for them.”
Thousands of Afghans were evacuated from Kabul in August 2021 as U.S. and coalition forces withdrew and the Taliban took control. While none of these refugees were brought to the Philippines, many were Afghan nationals who had supported coalition forces.
Negotiations for this deal began in May 2023 following a request from President Joe Biden during President Marcos’ visit to Washington. The Marcos administration received a formal letter from the U.S. about the request.
However, President Marcos had previously raised concerns about potential security risks and the possibility of violence spilling over into the Philippines, particularly in areas where Islamic State-linked militants are active.
The agreement on Afghan refugees comes as the Philippines and the U.S. strengthen their diplomatic and military ties. Last month, the U.S. announced a $500 million aid package to help the Philippines bolster its defense amid growing territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea.