{"id":5951,"date":"2021-11-04T10:15:02","date_gmt":"2021-11-04T15:15:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/?p=5951"},"modified":"2021-11-22T11:39:48","modified_gmt":"2021-11-22T17:39:48","slug":"welcome-of-afghan-newcomers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/welcome-of-afghan-newcomers\/","title":{"rendered":"Welcome of Afghan newcomers"},"content":{"rendered":"

WEBINAR VIDEO<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 SITUATION UPDATE<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 LUTHERAN DISASTER RESPONSE ACTIVITY<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 DIRECT INVOLVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 ADVOCACY<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 POISED FOR WELCOME<\/a><\/p>\n

Across the United States, places of worship and people of faith are key partners in assisting refugees, asylum seekers and others in need of hospitality. Support from ELCA members and congregations has swelled with an outpouring of concern, prayers and offers of assistance for our Afghan neighbors following the end of the United States\u2019 long war in Afghanistan. As ELCA and through Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), we can continue to offer our support.<\/p>\n

The following is an overview of what\u2019s been happening, how Lutherans are stepping up to provide accompaniment, and where you can engage further by advocating for legal protections for new arrivals.<\/a><\/p>\n

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WEBINAR VIDEO: “Walking Beside Our Afghan Neighbors”<\/h4>\n

\"\"<\/a>*NEW*<\/span><\/strong> The webinar, “Walking Beside Our Afghan Neighbors,”<\/a> provided great insights from key Lutheran leaders, including a congregation leader involved in resettlement, a Lutheran social service organization, ELCA advocacy staff and LIRS policy leadership. View the archive of the one-hour session, originally presented Nov. 18, 2021. View from the ELCA Vimeo page at https:\/\/vimeo.com\/648669699<\/a> (program begins at 1 minute 20 seconds).<\/a><\/p>\n

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SITUATION UPDATE<\/h4>\n

\"\"<\/a>According to recent government figures<\/a>, the United States is on pace to resettle around 75,000+ Afghans in the coming weeks. The U.S. government has evacuated tens of thousands of men, women and children from Afghanistan in recent months and plans to continue evacuation and resettlement operations through 2022.1<\/sup><\/p>\n

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Humanitarian Concerns<\/h5>\n

In Afghanistan, the situation continues to deteriorate, especially for many women and girls. Having gained access to education, employment, and political opportunities, the prospects for women\u2019s rights under the Taliban government look grim.2<\/sup> Additionally, Afghanistan is contending with a humanitarian crisis. Most recent aid has gone towards staving off food insecurity and the collapse of the public health system and economy.3<\/sup> Oftentimes, it is women and children who suffer the most during periods of prolonged conflict.<\/p>\n

The international community and faith communities have continued to urge protection of civilians, including women and girls, academics, journalists, human rights defenders, and members of ethnic, religious, and other minority group from attacks. The U.S. government has resumed the evacuation of some former U.S.-affiliated Afghans\u2014mostly visa applicants left behind in the hasty operation, while excluding others still at risk.<\/p>\n

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Humanitarian Parole<\/h5>\n

During the evacuation operations, many Afghans were admitted to the United States under temporary humanitarian parole status. Humanitarian parole, unlike U.S. refugee status<\/a> or Special Immigrant Visa<\/a> (SIV) status, expires after two-years, offers limited benefits, and has no direct path to lawful permanent residency (i.e. a \u201cgreen card\u201d). Afghans with this status face an uncertain future once they arrive.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, as a part of the stop-gap funding bill<\/a> recently passed by Congress and signed by the president on Sept. 30, lawmakers authorized Afghans admitted with parole to receive the same benefits as refugees, an ID and\/or driver\u2019s license.<\/p>\n

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Resettlement Processing<\/h5>\n

After being processed and rigorously screened<\/a> on military bases, these individuals and families are referred to resettlement agencies before continuing to their next destination. Operation Allies Welcome<\/a> was created to coordinate their arrival, assistance, and resettlement with the help of resettlement agencies like LIRS through its affiliates.<\/p>\n

Acknowledging unmet need, the government launched the private Sponsor Circle Program<\/a>, created to enable groups to sponsor and assist Afghans directly. This program would operate parallel to the existing framework of private resettlement agencies long supported by the American public and faith-based organizations.<\/a><\/p>\n

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LUTHERAN DISASTER RESPONSE ACTIVITY<\/h4>\n

Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) has been reaching out to synods, congregations and affiliates who are taking an active role in welcoming Afghan families. Support for volunteers and interpreters is critical, as are housing assistance, health and wellness care, and fostering community belonging. LDR is in partnership with LIRS and Church World Service (CWS), the lead organizations in resettling Afghan families.<\/p>\n