Afghanistan Peace Campaign
The U.S. State Department confirmed Afghan SIV holders are exempt from the travel ban, ensuring continued visa processing and resettlement support.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, June 10, State Department spokesperson Timmy Bruce stated that the consular processing of Afghan SIV applications continues uninterrupted at all U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide.
When asked about the growing threat of ISIS activity under Taliban rule in Afghanistan, Bruce declined to comment, stating he had no specific updates on the matter.
This statement comes shortly after the Taliban claimed to have killed two alleged ISIS fighters in Kabul earlier this week, asserting their ongoing control over insurgent threats within the country.
The SIV program was designed to protect Afghan allies such as interpreters, embassy staff, and military contractors who faced threats after the U.S. withdrawal.
Human rights groups have applauded the exemption, emphasizing that abandoning Afghan allies would have amounted to a serious breach of international responsibility.
With instability continuing in Afghanistan and threats from extremist groups rising, observers stress the importance of maintaining robust pathways for vulnerable Afghans seeking refuge and safety abroad.