Biden administration evacuates first group of Afghans – By Rebecca Kheel (The Hill) / July 30 2021
The first group of Afghans who helped the U.S. war effort and now face threats to their lives has departed Afghanistan en route to the United States.
A group of more than 200 Afghans, which includes those who worked for the United States and their families, departed Kabul on Thursday to fly to Fort Lee, Va., where they will finish the final steps of the visa application process, administration officials told reporters.
“I am immensely proud to announce our first group of Afghan special immigrants to be relocated under Operation Allies Refuge is now on their way to America,” Russ Travers, deputy homeland security adviser, told reporters Thursday. “This flight represents a fulfillment of the U.S. commitment and honors these Afghans’ brave service helping support our mission in Afghanistan, in turn helping to keep our country safe.”
“We, along with our civil society partners and tens of thousands of volunteers across our nation, look forward to welcoming these friends and partners to their new communities in the United States,” he added.
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