U.S. expands resettlement eligibility for Afghan nationals

The Biden administration announced Monday that it will expand refugee eligibility for Afghans as the United States withdraws troops in the war-torn country, allowing thousands of Afghans to permanently resettle in the U.S.

The State Department said Afghans of current and former employees of U.S.-based news organizations, U.S.-based aid and development agencies and other relief groups that receive U.S. funding are eligible for refugee status in the U.S.

Current and former employees of the U.S. government and the NATO military operation who don't meet the criteria for a dedicated program for such workers are also covered.