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Operation Allies Welcome

Last Updated: September 27, 2022 | Press Releases

Operation Allies Welcome Announces Departure of All Afghan Nationals from the National Conference Center Safe Haven in Leesburg, VA

All Afghan nationals have departed the safe haven facility at the National Conference Center (NCC) in Leesburg, Virginia, to join communities across the United States.

Last Updated: August 29, 2022 | Press Releases

Message from Secretary Mayorkas and Deputy Secretary Tien on Operation Allies Welcome, One Year Later

Operation Allies Welcome (OAW) represents the best of our nation’s values and character and our tradition as a place of welcome and belonging.

Last Updated: July 18, 2022 | Press Releases

Statement by Secretaries Antony J. Blinken and Alejandro N. Mayorkas - Ongoing Efforts to Support Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Applicants

The United States continues to demonstrate its commitment to the thousands of brave Afghans who stood side-by-side with the us over the course of the past two decades.

Last Updated: June 14, 2022 | Press Releases

DHS and DOS Announce Exemptions Allowing Eligible Afghans to Qualify for Protection and Immigration Benefits

Today, the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State took steps to ensure that vulnerable Afghans who have supported and worked with the United States in Afghanistan, and who have undergone rigorous screening and vetting, can qualify for protection and other immigration benefits in the United States.

Last Updated: March 16, 2022 | Press Releases

Secretary Mayorkas Designates Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the designation of Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. Only individuals who are already residing in the United States as of March 15, 2022, will be eligible for TPS.

Last Updated: February 19, 2022 | Press Releases

Operation Allies Welcome Announces Departure of All Afghan Nationals from U.S. Military Bases

Today, Operation Allies Welcome announced that all remaining Afghan evacuees have departed Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, where they have been temporarily housed since evacuating Afghanistan, to be resettled in their new communities across the nation.

Last Updated: February 15, 2022 | Press Releases

Operation Allies Welcome Announces Departure of Last Afghan Nationals from Fort McCoy, Wisconsin

The last group of Afghan nationals temporarily housed at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin as part of Operation Allies Welcome (OAW) departed the base

Last Updated: February 4, 2022 | Press Releases

2021: A Strong Year of Progress at the Department of Homeland Security

In the Biden-Harris Administration’s first year, DHS has made tremendous progress in its efforts to protect the American public and administer the laws of our nation. Our efforts to date have strengthened our ability to uphold our laws and our values. We have rescinded policies that do not reflect our values, brought offices back to life, issued new directives, and reconstructed entire operations in order to bolster the security of our nation and the diverse communities we serve. Much work remains, which we approach with energy and optimism.

Last Updated: February 2, 2022 | Press Releases

Operation Allies Welcome Announces Departure of Last Afghan Nationals from Fort Pickett, Virginia

Yesterday, the last group of Afghan nationals temporarily housed at Fort Pickett, Virginia as part of Operation Allies Welcome (OAW) departed the base.

Last Updated: January 26, 2022 | Press Releases

Operation Allies Welcome Announces Departure of Last Afghan Nationals from Camp Atterbury, Indiana

Yesterday, the last group of Afghan nationals temporarily housed at Camp Atterbury, Indiana as part of Operation Allies Welcome (OAW) departed the base.