Afghan Evacuees Leaving U.S. Military Bases Before Resettlement

Something unexpected is happening at US military bases hosting Afghan evacuees: Hundreds of them are simply leaving before receiving US resettlement services, two sources familiar with the data told Phili Stewart and Mica Rosenberg of Reuters.

Photo Insert: C-17 carrying passengers out of Afghanistan during the fall of Kabul

The number of "independent departures," which top 700 and could be higher, has not been previously reported. But the phenomenon is raising alarms among immigration advocates concerned about the risks to Afghans who give up on what is now an open-ended, complex, and completely voluntary resettlement process.

In the speed and chaos of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in August following 20 years of war, many evacuees were brought into the US under a temporary status of "humanitarian parole."

Once transferred to US military bases, refugee resettlement groups and US officials have been trying to connect people with services for a smooth transition to the US.

In a statement, a US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson declined to comment on the figures provided to Reuters by sources but said people who had left the bases "generally" had ties to the US, like family members of friends, and resources to support themselves.

The spokesperson said that in addition, at the outset of the operation many of those evacuated were US citizens, permanent residents, or had approved Special Immigrant Visas so were able to depart quickly.

But leaving early could cost other Afghan evacuees critical benefits - like expedited work permits - and create a slew of legal problems down the road, given the complexities of the US immigration system.

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