U.S. to accept thousands more Afghan refugees ahead of military pullout | CBC News

On Monday, the State Department said it is widening the scope of Afghans eligible for refugee status in the United States to include current and former employees of U.S.-based news organizations, U.S.-based aid and development agencies and other relief groups that receive funding from Washington.

Also covered under the plan are current and former U.S. government employees and the NATO military operation who don’t meet the criteria for a dedicated program for such workers.

Canadian Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino and cabinet colleagues announced July 23 the launch of a new resettlement program for interpreters who worked with the Armed Forces, cooks, drivers, cleaners, construction workers, security guards and locally engaged staff employed at the Canadian Embassy in Afghanistan, as well as their families.

WATCH | Canada’s immigration minister on the ‘moral obligation’ to help Afghan people:

Marco Mendicino, minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, tells CBC’s Power & Politics that Canada has a ‘moral obligation to support the Afghan people who supported Canada over the years.’ 6:49

During the war, Afghan interpreters helped Canadian troops connect with local leaders, translate conversations and build trust on the ground.

U.S. objective a ‘peaceful’ Afghanistan

In the U.S., the State Department said “many thousands” of Afghans and their immediate families will now have the opportunity to be permanently resettled as refugees. It did not give a specific number of those who might be eligible for the program.

“The U.S. objective remains a peaceful, secure Afghanistan,” the department said in a statement. “However, in light of increased levels of Taliban violence, the U.S. government is working to provide certain Afghans, including those who worked with the United States, the opportunity for refugee resettlement to the United States.”

The creation of a Priority 2 category for Afghans within the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program is intended to help those who “may be at risk due to their U.S. affiliation,” but aren’t able to get a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) because they did not work directly for the U.S. government or hold government jobs long enough.

Roughly 20,000 Afghans have expressed interest in the program.