U.S. speeds visas for vulnerable Afghans as pullout looms, but Congress wants more

FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: U.S. Marines from Charlie 1/1 of the 15th MEU (Marine Expeditionary Unit) fill sandbags around their light mortar position on the frontlines of a U.S. Marine Corps base, near a cardboard sign reminding everyone that Taliban forces could be anywhere and everywhere, in southern Afghanistan December 1, 2001. REUTERS/Jim Hollander/File Photo/File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - As the U.S. military completes its withdrawal from Afghanistan in the coming weeks, the Biden administration says it is adding staff to hurry up the visa process for Afghans who worked for the U.S. government and want to flee to avoid Taliban reprisals.

But for refugee advocates and members of Congress, the effort still isn't enough to ensure that Afghans who worked as U.S. military translators, guides and in other roles aren't persecuted in large numbers in the months ahead.