the first interpreters and other Afghan nationals who face possible retaliation from the Taliban insurgency for helping American troops, senior administration officials announced Thursday.

early Friday morning, the group will complete the final steps of their visa application process at Fort Lee in Virginia, before resettling within the U.S. .

“I am immensely proud to announce our first group of Afghan special immigrants to be relocated under Operation Allies Refuge is now on their way to America,” said Russ Travers, deputy homeland security adviser.

Blinken told reporters that finding new homes for the Afghan nationals had been discussed, but did not announce any firm commitments.

Biden announced Operation Allies Refuge earlier this month, designed to relocate those who have applied for Special Immigrant Visas (SIV), a program for foreign nationals who assist the U.S.

Travers said he expects approximately 2,500 Afghans to be relocated as part of Operation Allies Refuge over the weeks to come, including 700 principal SIV applicants and their families. .

State Department lead Tracey Jacobson said all Afghans slated to be relocated have received extensive background screening and COVID-19 testing

The first arrivals will receive medical screenings required by the Department of Homeland Security at Fort Lee before being granted immigrant status

Jacobson expects the group to be at Fort Lee for approximately seven days

The White House had faced pressure from lawmakers to provide a haven for the Afghan allies since announcing the troop withdrawal in April. 

Jacobson said the initial group being relocated are those that are at the final stages of the process but are considering relocating who are not as far along in the process to other countries besides the U.S

“The overall trend is clearly unfavorable to the Afghan government, which could face an existential crisis if it isn’t addressed and reversed,” he said