on the _ similarly, we were intensely focused on the safety of americans in afghanistan. in march we began urging _ afghanistan. in march we began urging them to leave the country. in total between march and august we sent 19 _ total between march and august we sent 19 specific messages with that warning _ sent 19 specific messages with that warning. and with offers to help including — warning. and with offers to help including financial assistance to pay for — including financial assistance to pay for plane tickets. despite this effort, _ pay for plane tickets. despite this effort, at — pay for plane tickets. despite this effort, at the time the evacuation began _ effort, at the time the evacuation began there were still thousands of american _ began there were still thousands of american citizens in afghanistan. almost— american citizens in afghanistan. almost all— american citizens in afghanistan. almost all of them we evacuated by august _ almost all of them we evacuated by august 3t _ almost all of them we evacuated by august 31. many were dual citizens living _ august 31. many were dual citizens living in— august 31. many were dual citizens living in afghanistan for years, decades, — living in afghanistan for years, decades, generations deciding whether— decades, generations deciding whether or not to leave a place they know _ whether or not to leave a place they know as _ whether or not to leave a place they know as home was in incredibly wrenching — know as home was in incredibly wrenching decision. in april we began — wrenching decision. in april we began drawing down our embassy ordering — began drawing down our embassy ordering nonessential personnel to depart _ ordering nonessential personnel to depart. we also used this time to significantly speed up the processing of the special immigrant visas for— processing of the special immigrant