“Just a complete disaster”: Inside the Biden team’s chaotic bid to evacuate Afghan interpreters
“does not align with the pace of withdrawal and the rapid deterioration in security” in Afghanistan.
who were approved by the U.S. chief of mission there but have not completed security background checks.POLITICO reported that the administration But the task force does not currently have a plan to expedite the processing of thousands of applicants who remain in the pipeline, despite the fact that the troop withdrawal is essentially complete.
“That lag coupled with seeing the military accelerate their withdrawal — that’s when we really started getting worried,” said Rep. Michael Waltz , a former Army Green Beret who served in Afghanistan and worked with Afghan interpreters. “When those last wheels go up, you’ve handed them a death sentence.”
Afghans who live outside Kabul are finding it increasingly dangerous to travel to the capital city as Taliban militants continue to expand their reach across the country. The visa system requires applicants to travel to Kabul to complete certain steps in the application process, such as submitting documents for proof of employment; and those being evacuated must get to the capital city to board the flights.
Starting in May, the State Department requested that the Pentagon provide documents to help corroborate applicants’ employment history — a crucial step in the application process, said Garry Reid, the Defense Department’s lead for the relocation effort. Kelli Ann Burriesci, who runs the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Strategy, Policy and Plans, said in an interview that various agencies have been working on the issue since before the task force was created, but acknowledged that it has been “a little bit more difficult in a virtual environment.”
“I don’t think the president was not cognizant of these risks. Clearly, we had to push a little harder to make sure there was quick action,” said Rep. Dean Phillips . “There is no daylight between any of us — the administration and Democrats, and probably most Republicans.
México Últimas Noticias, México Titulares
Similar News:También puedes leer noticias similares a ésta que hemos recopilado de otras fuentes de noticias.
Congress sends bill allowing more visas for Afghan allies, Capitol police salaries to BidenThe $2.1 billion bill will also provide funds to bolster the security of the Capitol's windows and doors, six months after the January 6 insurrection.
Leer más »
Opinion | The Biden Era Has Surprisingly Little of Joe Biden in It - POLITICOThe president’s low-key media strategy is working to his advantage, while the country debates culture-war issues largely outside his control. But that might not last.
Leer más »
Pelosi rebuffs Schumer’s push to get Biden to cancel student debtNancy Pelosi rejected efforts by Chuck Schumer and other progressives to convince Biden to unilaterally cancel large amounts of student loan debt, exacerbating a growing rift in the Democratic party over the issue
Leer más »
Biden ramps up vaccine push with call for $100 payments'Look, this is not about red states and blue states. It's literally about life and death,' the president said.
Leer más »
Biden poised to ramp up mileage rules for cars and trucksThe Biden admin. plans to slowly ramp up pollution and mileage requirements for cars and trucks over the next 5 years, people with knowledge of the plan say.
Leer más »