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.