Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Biden Authorizes $100 Million in Emergency Funds for Afghan Refugees

Reuters

   WASHINGTON - U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday authorized up to $100
   million from an emergency fund to meet "unexpected urgent" refugee
   needs stemming from the situation in Afghanistan, including those of
   Afghan special immigration visa applicants, the White House said.

   Biden also authorized the release of $200 million in services and
   articles from the inventories of U.S. government agencies to meet the
   same needs, the White House said.

   The United States is preparing to begin evacuating thousands of Afghan
   applicants for special immigration visas (SIVs) who risk retaliation
   from Taliban insurgents because they worked for the U.S. government.

   The first batch of evacuees and their families is expected to be flown
   before the end of the month to Fort Lee, a U.S. military base in
   Virginia, where they will wait for the final processing of their visa
   applications.

   About 2,500 Afghans could be brought to the facility, about 48
   kilometers south of Richmond, the Pentagon said on Monday.

   The Biden administration is reviewing other U.S. facilities in the
   United States and overseas where SIV applicants and their families
   could be accommodated.

   SIVs are available to Afghans who worked as translators or in other
   jobs for the U.S. government after the 2001 U.S.-led invasion.

   On Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that
   would expand the number of SIVs that could be granted by 8,000, which
   would cover all potentially eligible applications in the pipeline.

   About 18,000 such applications are being processed, U.S. officials say.