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Afghan interpreters and others assisting the Canadian armed forces in Afghanistan only have three days to apply for a new government program to resettle in Canada.
The federal government announced a new temporary plan last week to help interpreters and their families escape what Ottawa describes as the rapidly deteriorating situation in this war-torn country.
It is believed that these workers are facing increasing risks of becoming targets of the Taliban, and the Taliban are making significant progress as the United States withdraws combat forces from the country.
“If they happen to be in an area controlled or affected by the Taliban, their lives will be immediately threatened,” said Dennis Thompson, a retired major general who commanded the security task force in 2008 and 2009. Not only their lives, but also the lives of their families. “
But potential applicants for the immigration program learned today that they only have three days to submit an application, which requires filling out multiple online forms and scanning documents.
“If you do not provide a complete application package within the next three days, we will conclude that you are not interested in participating in this public policy,” read part of the email sent to potential applicants.
“I can’t imagine any other government on the planet will issue an ultimatum to people in desperate need of help and assistance,” said retired captain Dave Moreau.
The Canadian Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship has not yet responded to CBC News’ request for comment on the deadline for the program.
‘There is panic on the ground’
Thompson said that for many people facing Taliban retaliation, the three-day window is “frankly not realistic”. Others share his concern that lack of reliable Internet access and other logistical obstacles may prevent some former interpreters from accessing the program.
Moreau said that asking applicants “to fill out a long immigration and asylum form in a country like Afghanistan, which seems absurd in a war where you are fighting to save lives.”
“There is panic on the ground,” retired captain Corey Shelson added in an email to CBC News. “The shortened timetable will force Afghans to take special risks to reach Kabul quickly.”
According to estimates by the U.S. government in 2018, only 13.5% of Afghans have access to the Internet.
“The Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada recently issued an ultimatum to our Afghans, which deeply disturbs us. [locally employed civilians] They must fill in new documents within the next 72 hours or they will be denied entry to Canada forever,” the advocacy group Afghanistan and Canadian interpreter wrote in a press release.
“This unprecedented urgency will lead to loss of life.”
Canada determines who is eligible for resettlement
In addition to interpreters, chefs, drivers, cleaners, construction workers, security personnel, and staff employed at the Canadian Embassy may also be eligible to participate in the program.
The Canadian Department of Global Affairs and the Department of Defense said they are working to identify and assist people who are eligible for resettlement.
Thompson said people determined by the government should be allowed to enter Canada immediately, where they can then complete the required paperwork.
“In our opinion, this may be enough for them to come here to complete the rest of the immigration process,” he said.
The U.S. recently committed to resettlement Up to 35,000 Afghan interpreters and their familiesDuring the processing of immigration applications, they will be allowed to stay at US military bases in Kuwait and Qatar for up to 18 months.
The Canadian army was in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2014. Canada ended its combat mission in 2011, but left soldiers in the country for another three years to help train the Afghan National Security Forces.
According to Ottawa, more than 800 Afghans who assisted in the Canadian War have resettled in Canada.
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