# Operation Allies Welcome: Understanding the Afghan Resettlement Program
When the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, the world witnessed scenes of desperation at Kabul’s airport as thousands of Afghans scrambled to escape. In response to this humanitarian crisis, the U.S. government launched Operation Allies Welcome (OAW), a program designed to provide refuge for vulnerable Afghans who had worked alongside American forces during two decades of military presence in the country. Today, nearly four years later, this program remains a significant chapter in recent U.S. immigration history, though it has become increasingly controversial.
## The Origins and Purpose of Operation Allies Welcome
President Biden established Operation Allies Welcome on August 29, 2021, just days after the fall of Kabul. The program emerged from urgent humanitarian concerns, as approximately 100,000 Afghans had already been airlifted from the country by that time. The primary objective was to safely resettle vulnerable Afghans in the United States, particularly those who had worked directly with U.S. military and government personnel and faced potential retaliation from the Taliban.[1]
The program targeted several categories of Afghan nationals. About 40% of those who came were eligible for Special Immigrant Visas because they had taken significant risks to assist the U.S. military effort, or were family members of those who had done so.[1] Others were considered vulnerable due to their professional backgrounds, connections to international organizations, or political positions that made them targets for Taliban persecution.
## How the Program Operated
Operation Allies Welcome was initially designed as a temporary measure, allowing Afghans to enter the United States on a two-year parole status without permanent immigration status. This parole arrangement permitted case-by-case humanitarian entry while Afghan nationals worked toward obtaining other forms of legal immigration status, such as asylum.[1]
The program evolved over time. After approximately one year, OAW transitioned into a longer-term initiative called Operation Enduring Welcome. Together, these programs successfully resettled almost 200,000 Afghans in the United States.[1] The scale of this operation represented one of the largest rapid resettlement efforts in recent American history.
During their initial arrival, Afghans underwent additional processing at U.S. military bases before being released into their communities. At these facilities, they received medical screening, vaccination services, and assistance with immigration paperwork. The Department of State coordinated approximately 600 civilian and non-governmental staff members at military bases to provide humanitarian support and connect arrivals with relocation services.[2] This infrastructure aimed to facilitate smooth transitions into American society while maintaining security protocols.
## The Vetting Process
The Department of Homeland Security emphasized that all Afghans entering through OAW underwent “rigorous” vetting procedures.[1] The screening process involved approximately 300 to 400 personnel from multiple U.S. agencies, including Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the FBI, the National Counterterrorism Center, and various Intelligence Community partners.[1][2]
The vetting procedure included comprehensive biometric and biographic screenings conducted by intelligence, law enforcement, and counterterrorism professionals. According to DHS, this process involved “reviewing fingerprints, photos, and other biometric and biographic data for every single Afghan before they are cleared to travel to the United States.”[1] The government coordinated with transit points in the Middle East and Europe, where State Department staff provided additional oversight and humanitarian guidance.
## Criticisms and Revelations
Despite official assurances about the vetting process, the program faced criticism from Republican lawmakers who questioned whether all Afghans had been properly screened. These concerns were partially validated in 2024 when the DHS Office of Inspector General released a report acknowledging some failings, including data inaccuracies in files of certain Afghan arrivals.[1]
The program came under intensified scrutiny following a shooting incident in Washington, D.C., in late November 2025. The alleged shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was an Afghan national who had entered the U.S. under Operation Allies Welcome in 2021. According to CIA Director John Ratcliffe, the Biden Administration had justified bringing the individual to the United States due to his prior work with the U.S. Government, including with the CIA.[1]
## Current Status and Ongoing Impact
The shooting incident prompted significant policy responses. President Trump criticized OAW on social media, calling for re-examination of all Afghans who entered under the program and advocating for removal of those deemed undesirable.[1] Shortly after the incident, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced it had halted processing of immigration applications from Afghan nationals.[1]
This decision has created significant hardship for tens of thousands of Afghans. Around the world, over 40,000 Afghans are actively pursuing U.S. resettlement, with more than 10,000 already approved by the U.S. government for relocation.[1] These individuals now face uncertain futures as the immigration system processes the policy changes.
## Conclusion
Operation Allies Welcome represented an ambitious humanitarian response to an unprecedented crisis. The program successfully resettled nearly 200,000 Afghan nationals who feared persecution under Taliban rule. However, the combination of acknowledged vetting shortcomings and high-profile security incidents has transformed the program from a humanitarian success story into a contentious political issue. As of late 2025, the future of Afghan resettlement in America remains uncertain, with thousands of approved applicants unable to proceed with their relocation plans.
Original source: NPR News – What was ‘Operation Allies Welcome,’ which allowed some Afghans entry into the U.S.?