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U.S. continues processing SIVs for Afghans, says State Department
The U.S. government has reiterated that the processing of Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for Afghan nationals is ongoing, with officials confirming that hundreds of visas are currently in various stages of approval.
At a press briefing on Thursday, State Department deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott addressed questions surrounding the SIV program but declined to respond to unverified reports or speculation.
“We see a continual processing of SIVs. That processing has continued. That has continued for many, many years,” he said.
He further noted that the SIV program remains a priority, with initiatives dating back to the Trump administration contributing to its continuity.
“We’re seeing many hundreds of those visas being processed as we go forward here. So nothing further beyond that, but the processing for SIVs for Afghans does continue,” he said.
The SIV program is designed to provide resettlement opportunities in the United States for Afghans who worked alongside U.S. forces and diplomatic missions. Despite longstanding bipartisan support, the program has faced challenges including backlogs, logistical hurdles, and security concerns.
In his Persian New Year message, Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, on Friday highlighted the importance of Afghanistan and Pakistan, saying the two neighbors were “very close” to Iran.
Khamenei also made a direct appeal for improved relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, describing them as “two brotherly countries.” He urged both nations to work toward better cooperation and understanding, stressing that such efforts are important “for the sake of divine pleasure and to avoid division among Muslims.”
Underscoring his commitment, he added that he is personally “ready to take the necessary steps” to help facilitate stronger ties between the two countries.
In recent months, tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have risen over security issues, with cross-Durand Line clashes, airstrikes, and accusations about militant activity.
Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, announced on Friday that a 2.5-ton consignment, including emergency medicines, medical disposables, kits, and equipment has been delivered to Kabul.
According to him, the aid shipment is intended to support the swift recovery of those injured in the recent airstrike by Pakistan’s military regime.
He emphasized that India stands with the people of Afghanistan and will continue to provide all possible humanitarian assistance.
The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) has announced that Mahdi Ansary, a reporter for the Afghan News Agency (AFKA), has been released after serving one and a half years in Bagram prison.
In a statement welcoming his release, AFJC emphasized that the fundamental rights of this journalist—who had been tried and imprisoned on charges of cooperating with exiled and foreign media—were “seriously” violated.
Ansari was arrested on October 5, 2023, after returning from his workplace in Kabul.
He was sentenced on January 1, 2024 by the Kabul Primary Court to one and a half years in prison on charges of “propaganda against the Islamic Emirate.”
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