Priority 2 Designation for Afghan Nationals in the US Refugee Admissions Program

Brief Description:

According to a statement released by the US Embassy in Afghanistan, the Department of State has designated some Afghan nationals and their qualifying family members as Priority 2 (P-2) applicants for the US Refugee Admission Program (USRAP).

Because of the rising Taliban violence in Afghanistan, the US government is offering refugee resettlement to specific Afghans, including individuals who have collaborated with the US. Many thousands of Afghans and their immediate family members are eligible for permanent resettlement in the United States under this program, but they are not eligible for a Special Immigrant VIA (SIV) because they do not have qualifying employment or do not meet the time-in-service requirements for SIV.

Eligibility:

individuals with the following criteria may be eligible to apply for USRAP program:

Afghans who:

·        Do not meet the minimum time-in-service for SIV (Special Immigration visa) but who work or worked as employees of contractors, locally employed staff, interpreters/translators for the USA government, US Forces Afghanistan. International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) or Resolute Support.

·        Work or worked for a USA-government – funded program or project in Afghanistan support through us government grant or cooperative agreement

·        are or were employed in Afghanistan by a U.S.-based media organization or non-governmental organization.

A US government agency can refer Afghans and their eligible members of family including spouse, children of any age whether married or unmarried to P-2 program.

NGOs and Media organizations not-funded by the US Government but headquartered in the USA, the senior-most US citizen employee of that organization may make a referral.

Note: if an individual is not eligible for the P-2 program, he / she may be eligible for the Priority 1 (P-1) program by virtue of their circumstances and apparent need for resettlement. UN High commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), a US embassy or a designated NGo may refer the individuals to the P-1 Program.

There are three categories of individuals who may access the USRAP including:

·        Priority 1: referred by a designated entity such as Embassy, NGO or UNHCR

·        Groups of special concern desginated by the department of state

·        grant access for purposes of reunification with family members already in the US.

for further details, please visit wrapsnet.org or contact prmpress@state.gov or visit the US embassy website

Official link: https://af.usembassy.gov/u-s-refugee-admissions-program-priority-2-designation-for-afghan-nationals/