Philippines Agrees to Temporarily Host Afghan Asylum Seekers under U.S. Deal

Philippines Agrees to Temporarily Host Afghan Asylum Seekers under U.S. Deal

The Philippines has approved a U.S. Government request to temporarily accommodate Afghan nationals fleeing Taliban rule, while they await the processing of their special immigrant visas for resettlement in the United States.

Under the agreement, the U.S. will cover all costs for the Afghan asylum seekers, including food, housing, security, medical care, and transportation, according to Teresita Daza, spokesperson for the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs.

“Each applicant will be allowed to stay in the Philippines for no more than 59 days,” Daza stated, adding that all individuals will undergo thorough security vetting by Philippine authorities and must obtain an appropriate entry visa before arriving, in compliance with Philippine laws.

The agreement still requires ratification by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. before taking effect.

While the Department of Foreign Affairs did not specify the number of Afghans to be hosted, previous reports indicated the U.S. had requested the Philippines to accommodate up to 50,000 Afghans. Philippine officials, however, clarified that the initial pilot phase will involve around 600 individuals, primarily those who worked for the U.S. government or qualify for U.S. special immigrant visas, but were left behind after the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021.

Concerns raised by Philippine lawmakers about potential security risks and legal complications, including the possibility of terrorist attacks and uncertainty about rejected visa applications, are being addressed as part of the agreement.