{"id":66,"date":"2022-01-03T11:51:40","date_gmt":"2022-01-03T17:51:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/ammparo\/?p=66"},"modified":"2022-01-03T13:24:16","modified_gmt":"2022-01-03T19:24:16","slug":"welcoming-afghan-newcomers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/ammparo\/welcoming-afghan-newcomers\/","title":{"rendered":"Welcoming Afghan Newcomers"},"content":{"rendered":"

(original from ELCA Advocacy view here<\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n

Across the United States and over the years, places of worship and people of faith have been key partners in welcoming refugees, asylum seekers and others in need of hospitality. ELCA members and congregations have recently poured in their concern, prayers, and offers of assistance for uprooted Afghan neighbors following the end of the U.S.\u2019 long war in Afghanistan. As ELCA and through Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), we can continue to offer our support in the months and years ahead. The very heart of Christian faith leads us to welcome the newcomer among us.<\/p>\n

The following is an overview of what\u2019s happened, how Lutheran communities are stepping up to support, and where you can engage further by advocating for legal protections for new arrivals.<\/a><\/p>\n

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WEBINAR VIDEO: \u201cWalking Beside Our Afghan Neighbors\u201d<\/h4>\n

\"\"<\/a>*NEW*<\/strong>\u00a0The\u00a0webinar, \u201cWalking Beside Our Afghan Neighbors,\u201d<\/a>\u00a0provided 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\u00a0https:\/\/vimeo.com\/648669699<\/a>\u00a0(program begins at 1 minute 20 seconds).<\/a><\/p>\n

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SITUATION UPDATE<\/h4>\n

\"\"<\/a>According to recent\u00a0government 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.\u00a0 Advancements in women’s rights, education, employment, and political opportunities appear at risk under the Taliban government.2<\/sup> Additionally, Afghanistan is contending with a worsening humanitarian crisis. Most recent aid has gone towards staving off food insecurity and the collapse of the public health system and economy.3<\/sup>\u00a0Oftentimes, 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 harm. The U.S. government has resumed the priority evacuation of some former U.S.-affiliated Afghans\u2014mostly visa applicants left behind in the hasty operation, while tragically 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.\u00a0refugee status<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Special Immigrant Visa<\/a> (SIV) status, expires after two-years, offers limited access to 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\u00a0stop-gap funding bill<\/a>\u00a0recently 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\u00a0rigorously screened<\/a> on military bases, Afghan individuals and families are referred to resettlement agencies before continuing to their next destination. The multi-agency, Operation Allies Welcome<\/a> has been coordinating their arrival, assistance, and resettlement with the help of resettlement agencies like LIRS through its affiliates.<\/p>\n

The government has also launched the private Sponsor Circle Program<\/a>, created to enable groups to sponsor and assist Afghans directly in acknowledge of unmet need. This program operates 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 reached out to synods, congregations and affiliates 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 works in partnership with LIRS and Church World Service (CWS), the lead organizations in resettling Afghan families.<\/p>\n