U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday said his administration would find ways to assist Afghan allies seeking asylum in the United States, pledging support for those who worked with American forces during the war.
“We know the good people, and we know those who may not be so good,” Trump said. “We will take care of the people who did work for us and those who were promised things.”
Trump did not provide details but said roughly “90 percent” of applicants would receive help. He again condemned the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, calling it “one of the most shameful events in American history.”
His remarks come amid criticism from veterans’ groups and military advocates over policies affecting former Afghan partners. In May, the State Department announced plans to wind down the Coordinated Afghan Relocation Effort (CARE), which manages relocation for Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders and other at-risk Afghans.
Trump previously pledged to support “former allies” in Afghanistan, though advocates say thousands remain at risk of Taliban reprisals and face long waits in U.S. immigration processing.
