Taliban in Kabul, US Embassy evacuation and more

The Defense Department will potentially relocate 30,000 applicants for special visas for Afghan immigrants to the United States, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby confirmed to CNN, adding that Fort Bliss in Texas and Fort McCoy in Wisconsin will accommodate these applicants. have the ability to do.

CNN reported on Sunday that the Biden administration had reduced the number of government-sponsored evacuation flights to the United States for Afghans working with the United States by prioritizing the evacuation of American personnel from the country. Three sources familiar with the situation said.

It is not clear how long the flight break will last and the situation remains normal.

As of last week, refugee resettlement agencies were gearing up for large numbers of arrivals from Afghanistan, two sources said, and Biden administration officials were discussing increased flights for visa applicants.

On Sunday, a joint statement from the Defense and State Departments reiterated that the administration would “expeditiously evacuate the thousands of Afghans who qualify for special immigrant visas from the United States.”