(Washington) Joe Biden’s government has decided to simplify immigration procedures for Afghan refugees so that they can integrate more quickly into American society, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said on Monday.
The approximately 70,000 Afghans who have arrived in the United States since July 30, the start of the “Allies Welcome” evacuation operation, will benefit from simplified procedures for obtaining the precious “green card”, the residence permit for the States. United, and the various work permits they may need, DHS said in a statement.
They will also be exempt from registration fees, a notable measure when the various fees to be paid for obtaining the residence permit alone can reach thousands of dollars.
“By granting these evacuees simplified procedures and exemptions from fees, we will open up opportunities for our Afghan allies and help them rebuild their lives more quickly in our country,” commented the Minister of Internal Security, Alejandro Mayorkas.
“These steps demonstrate our commitment to the Afghans who have provided invaluable assistance to the United States for the past 20 years, as well as Afghans at risk,” he added.
More than 120,000 people were evacuated from Kabul this summer, including diplomats and foreign nationals, but also tens of thousands of Afghans at risk, in particular because they had collaborated with the forces of the international coalition in Afghanistan. Of these, some 70,000 Afghan nationals have been received in the United States, others have chosen other countries.