When Kabul fell to the Taliban in August 2021, chaotic scenes at the airport prompted a large U.S.-led evacuation. In the wake of that withdrawal, the Biden administration directed the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate federal efforts to help vulnerable Afghans resettle in the United States. Those efforts were organized under Operation Allies Welcome (OAW).
Purpose and scope
OAW was created to bring Afghans—especially those targeted for having worked with U.S. forces or partners—into the United States on a temporary parole basis for two years without granting permanent immigration status. Evacuees were expected to pursue longer-term options such as asylum or Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs). About 40% of arrivals were eligible for SIVs or were family members of SIV-eligible individuals. OAW operated for roughly a year before transitioning into a longer-term effort called Operation Enduring Welcome. Combined, the programs helped resettle nearly 200,000 Afghans in the United States.
Vetting and processing
DHS described the vetting as rigorous, involving roughly 400 personnel across agencies and using biometric and biographic screenings—fingerprints, photos and other checks—by intelligence, law enforcement and counterterrorism professionals. Evacuees were further processed at U.S. military bases after arrival before being placed into communities.
Criticisms and oversight findings
Some critics, particularly Republican lawmakers, argued not all evacuees were adequately vetted. A 2024 DHS Office of Inspector General report acknowledged shortcomings, including data inaccuracies in some evacuee files. A Justice Department review of the FBI’s role noted that the urgent need to evacuate Afghans sometimes overtook normal processes, increasing the risk that bad actors could try to exploit the expedited evacuation. The report identified 55 individuals evacuated under OAW who later appeared on terrorism watch lists, but it also concluded the FBI generally did well flagging potential threats and that most evacuees were not security risks.
Recent developments and status of Afghans
After a 2025 incident in which two National Guard soldiers were shot in Washington, D.C., the suspect—an Afghan who arrived under OAW in 2021—drew renewed scrutiny of the program. Political leaders called for reviews; intelligence officials noted the administration’s reasoning for evacuating some individuals included prior work with U.S. government entities. In the immediate aftermath, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services paused processing immigration applications from Afghan nationals.
Meanwhile, many Afghans remain in limbo: tens of thousands worldwide are still seeking resettlement to the U.S., with more than 10,000 already approved to relocate. Veterans and advocacy groups have urged continued support for those who assisted U.S. efforts in Afghanistan, urging that commitments to allies not be abandoned.
