Canada's immigration minister speaks about arrival of 1st Afghan refugees | LIVE

Canadian Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino is expected to provide an update Thursday on the arrival of the first Afghan refugees who had supported Canada's military mission in Afghanistan.

The federal government did not say how many refugees were on board the flight Wednesday or where they'll be resettled in Canada, citing the need to protect the evacuees and the security of the mission.

It's the first of a number of flights the government is promising to bring the refugees out of the country as a resurgent Taliban retakes control of some districts following the withdrawal of American troops.

The government announced last month a special program to urgently resettle Afghans deemed to have been "integral" to the Canadian Armed Forces' mission, including interpreters, cooks, drivers, cleaners, construction workers, security guards and embassy staff, as well as members of their families.

Retired generals, veterans and Afghans themselves had been calling for action to help the Afghan interpreters and cultural advisers who helped make Canada's military mission there possible.

Retired Maj.-Gen. David Fraser, who was the former task force commander for the mission, said there are about 115 Afghan interpreters and advisers in danger.

For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca/news/8086886/canada-afghan-refugees-arrive/
Subscribe to Global News Channel HERE: http://bit.ly/20fcXDc
Like Global News on Facebook HERE: http://bit.ly/255GMJQ
Follow Global News on Twitter HERE: http://bit.ly/1Toz8mt
Follow Global News on Instagram HERE: https://bit.ly/2QZaZIB
#GlobalNews #Afghanistan #MarcoMendicino