2,500 more SIVs for Afghans who helped U.S. forces

Afghan Voice Agency(AVA), The move follows efforts by U.S. lawmakers for more SIVs for Afghans against the backdrop of efforts by President Donald Trump to restrict immigration from Muslim-majority countries.

Earlier in March, the U.S. embassy in Kabul said it had stopped scheduling interviews for SIV applicants as it was running out of such visas.

According to U.S. State Department, only 780 SIVs remained available as of April 20, while more than 14,000 Afghans had already begun the application process.

“It’s both a moral and practical imperative that Congress approve additional visas. Thousands of Afghans have put themselves, and their families, at risk to help our soldiers and diplomats accomplish the U.S. mission and return home safely,” U.S. Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, said in a statement.

SIV program was created by U.S. in 2008 originally only for military interpreters, but later expanded to cover any Afghan who demonstrate “at least one year of faithful and valuable service” to or on behalf of the U.S. government.