Report: Hundreds of Unprocessed Afghan Evacuees Leaving U.S. Military Bases and Fanning Out Across the Country
Reuters is reporting that so far over 700 Afghan evacuees have walked off U.S. military bases for parts unknown. They have not yet been processed and are walking away from cushy benefits and aid.
Reuters reports (archive link):
Something unexpected is happening at U.S. military bases hosting Afghan evacuees: Many hundreds of them are simply leaving before receiving U.S. resettlement services, two sources familiar with the data told Reuters.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 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August following 20 years of war, many evacuees were brought into the United States under a temporary status of “humanitarian parole.” Once transferred to U.S. military bases, refugee resettlement groups and U.S. officials have been trying to connect people with services for a smooth transition to the United States.
This is an astounding fact and a clear national security threat since it seems that the U.S. has no idea who these people are or where they are going. Or why.
As Jazz Shaw notes over at Hot Air, they have every incentive to stay and be processed and handed a job, housing, medical care, cash, and a host of other taxpayer-funded goodies the Biden admin is lavishing on them at our expense.
Also, while it doesn’t constitute definitive proof of anything, who just walks away from a secure place to stay with a roof over their head, free meals, and the promise of incoming cash assistance and other resources? Particularly considering the chaotic circumstances surrounding their departure from Afghanistan and the lack of time to make any arrangements in many cases, doesn’t that seem rather odd?According to one document that’s being given to all of the evacuees, once they leave the base they can not return. They will also not be eligible for help with their immigration paperwork, cash payments, and the other benefits being funded via the continuing resolution passed on Thursday night. That sounds like a lot to give up unless you’re really motivated to get away from the base and the federal officials there.
One thing is crystal clear: our immigration system is broken.
Reuters continues:
Immigration experts say Afghans who leave the bases are not breaking U.S. laws and military officials have no legal authority to hold law-abiding Afghans against their will at any of the eight locations hosting 53,000 Afghans who fled the Taliban on U.S. evacuation flights.The scale of the independent departures vary from base to base, according to the sources – more than 300 alone at Fort Bliss in Texas – a figure that is likely to alarm both advocates and critics of the massive U.S. resettlement operation.
Fort Bliss, you may recall, was the site a gang sexual assault against a female soldier just last weekend.
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