White House confirms it plans to evacuate 18,000 Afghans who worked with the U.S. in Afghanistan

The White House has informed some lawmakers that it plans to evacuate approximately 18,000 Afghans who worked for the U.S. as translators. These Afghans will be able to leave Afghanistan to be temporarily relocated to a yet-to-be-named third country or territory for their own safety, as the Taliban begins to retake more districts during the phased withdrawal of American troops, which President Biden has said will be completed by September 11. 

They face retribution, and even death, at the hands of the Taliban because of their association with the U.S. Hundreds have already been killed.  At this point, however, the administration is "just getting started on much of this," according to a senior White House official. Asked Thursday about plans to resettle these Afghan nationals in other countries, President Biden promised, "They're going to come. We've already begun the process. Those who helped us are not going to be left behind."