Immigrant Visa Processing Process News Today

Weeks, since august 14, to thousands upon thousands of sivs. those are principle applicants as well as their family members. this applies to all of the categories that you run through. in the context of this massive unprecedented evacuation effort, our first goal is to have bring as many people to safety as quick as possible. in many cases, we are going to be in a better position to provide the fidelity on numbers in the coming days and coming weeks as this process has been ongoing, our goal is ...

Begin processing. weve been at this for a few days. so at each location we will spin up quickly here and begin the application and the process for a special immigrant status. >> the siv application process is a long process. what happens if at some point while somebody is on the military base they feel the screen something are they going back to afghanistan? what is the plan there? are you also taking questions? >> later. >> i defer you to the department of state for that. thats their area of ex...

Waits that you described. we worked very hard over the last couple days to make the process as efficient and effective. when i say we, dod worked with the process owner, dhs, to streamline this. specifically customs and boarder protection along with tsa who owns that process, if you will. some of the challenges, use of the proper vetting authorities to ensure that we looked at the same ones and that they were coming across, we knew exactly who was certifying that. that is customs that was certif...

Base? >> they stay on -- theyll stay on base until they complete the special immigrant visa processing process, which is owned by the state department with the support. we provide medical support, contract medical support as part of that. each of the applicants will go through a screening process like screening for diseases, vaccinations, if they need vaccinated. well have the international migration organization come in towards the end and work with them on where they need to be relocated. many...

Bases, many of them left their country with very little and probably have different levels of means to start with like over here. how long is dod prepared to house and feed the refugees? >> were prepared to house and feed them as long as it takes to get them through the process and as long as the secretary approves that. i agree with you. theyre coming here, starting over with what they bring with them. weve been incredibly well-supported by the local communities, the nongovernmental organizatio...

Future. the request for assistance from the state department requested that the department of defense provide culturally appropriate food, water, bed, recreational activities and other services like transportation from the port of entry to the location of accommodations and some medical services as well. a team of military civilian and contract personnel are working closely with numerous agencies, government and nongovernment to ensure further requirements and additional capabilities are availab...

Agencies to include counter terrorism and intelligence communities. what were seeing is folks coming across cleared by the process, which im comfortable with. with regards to covid, the afghans coming from the middle east into our locations that we have stood up are all being tested multiple times. we test them 100% upon arrival at each location. theyre getting tests at dulles as well. in route they get tested. ill give you numbers. we are seeing so far to date when i was at fort mccoy only thre...

That airport is opening today. additional sites are possible. heres a snapshot of the numbers. task force eagle in virginia has a capacity for 1,750. today task force eagle at fort lee has supported 1,647 afghan special immigrant visa applicants and their families. nearly half of whom have completed the process and moved on with the support of the department of state, nongovernmental, intergovernmental organizations. in fort bliss, they have a capacity of 5,000 and started receiving flights augu...

Not american citizens or dont have passports to get out. so im wondering if this is something that the state department is looking at addressing more broadly, at changing the visa requirements or citizenship requirements or the ability to allow more people, family, to come out so american citizens dont have to make a choice of their safety and leaving parents, children behind. >> let me make a couple broad points. number 1, the number of individuals with whom weve been in contact that say that t...

0 we have a responsibility to these individuals that worked with our colleagues on the ground in kabul and we are grateful for their commitment and dedication to the united states. i can confirm that the vast majority of our locally-employed staff and their immediate family members have been evacuated or are currently on the ground of the hamed karzai airport. were working to evacuate remaining staff and weve been in direct contact with them. these employees have served the united states. they h...