The U.S. will give priority to certain Afghans to apply for admission as refugees, citing increasing levels of violence in Afghanistan
WASHINGTON—The U.S. will expand eligibility for Afghans seeking admission to the U.S. as refugees, the State Department said, citingAfghans who worked as employees of U.S. government contractors, for U.S.-funded programs, or U.S.-based media or nongovernmental organizations will be eligible to apply to a U.S. refugee program for the opportunity to permanently resettle in the U.S., the State Department said Monday. Their spouses and children will also be eligible.
. The existing Special Immigrant Visa program established in 2009 only considered Afghans that worked directly for the U.S. government.that helped the U.S. during the war.