Refuge for Afghans

How We're Responding

Updated November 5, 2021

In the weeks and months ahead, we expect more than 1,500 Afghans will make their home here in Chicago, among hundreds of other refugees coming from different parts of the world. RefugeeOne is proud to be a part of Chicago’s community of welcome and to support these families as they rebuild their lives here. In addition to our core services (described below), RefugeeOne has deployed resettlement staff to the military bases where Afghans are being processed prior to resettlement.

Like all refugees who come through our doors, we’ll stock their first apartment with everything they need before we greet them at the airport. Once they get settled in, our staff⁠—who speak 35 languages and come from many cultural backgrounds⁠—will work together to help each member of the family thrive. We offer English classes, youth programming, employment assistance, mental health care, and more.

We continue to advocate for all refugees, from Afghanistan and around the world, at the local, state, and federal level. We’re in regular communication with elected officials and community leaders, educating them about the unique needs of refugees and how they can take action to ensure those fleeing violence and persecution are given the support and resources they need.

One concern is that Afghans who arrive with humanitarian parolee status (defined in the FAQ below) will be required to file an asylum claim shortly after arriving instead of being able to adjust their status to receive a green card and later citizenship. We're urging Congress to pass an Afghan Adjustment Act so these parolees will have the same rights as those with Special Immigrant Visas and refugee status.

Frequently Asked Questions

WHY ARE AFGHANS IN NEED OF URGENT HUMANITARIAN PROTECTION?
Many of the individuals in need of protection are our allies who worked alongside U.S. forces in Afghanistan, risking their lives to save American lives. Others include women and children, ethnic and religious minorities, LGBTQIA individuals, activists, and humanitarian workers. The United States is uniquely situated to provide refuge to these individuals, especially our allies who we promised to protect, as well as their loved ones and those fleeing violence and persecution.
WHO IS COMING TO THE U.S. FROM AFGHANISTAN?
Most Afghans will arrive with one of the statuses described below. The primary difference is that refugees and SIVs can adjust their status to receive a green card and later citizenship, while parolees are currently required to submit an asylum claim to stay in the U.S.

Definitions:
1. Refugees Status: Most refugees have to cross an international border to gain refugee status from an entity like the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), which requires a well-founded claim of persecution preventing them from returning home.
2. Special Immigrant Visa (SIV): Available to Afghan nationals who were employed by, or on behalf of the US government within Afghanistan for two or more years. This program allows those who qualify, and their direct family members, to apply directly to the U.S. for resettlement, as opposed to waiting for UNHCR referral.
3. Priority 1 (P1): A P1 designation means that this group is of “special concern” to the U.S. government.
4. Priority 2 (P2): The new P2 designation for Afghanistan expands beyond the SIV program to include those who don’t meet the minimum time-in-service requirement for the above, and those who worked in Afghanistan for a US-based media company or a non-governmental organization.
5. Humanitarian Parole: For many Afghans arriving in the U.S., they will likely be initially seeking humanitarian parole, which is a temporary status allowing the parolee to stay in the United States up to 365 days while applying for a longer term solution, like claiming asylum.
WILL AFGHANS ARRIVE IN CHICAGO? HOW MANY? WHEN?
Families from Afghanistan have already begun arriving in Chicago. Over the next few months, we anticipate more than 1,500 Afghans will make their homes here. This only represents a portion of the refugees who we and Chicago's other resettlement agencies will welcome, as arrivals from other parts of the world are increasing, too.
WHERE WILL INCOMING REFUGEES BE HOUSED? CAN I HOST A FAMILY IN MY HOME?
RefugeeOne finds affordable apartments in Chicago for all newly arriving families, near public transit and the services refugees regularly access, including our office in West Ridge. We provide refugee families their own private housing, rented in their own name, giving them independence and autonomy. We don't have a volunteer host home program.
WHAT IS REFUGEEONE’S ROLE IN WELCOMING REFUGEES?
RefugeeOne and our 850+ volunteers provide a host of culturally-sensitive services to help refugees and their families thrive as they rebuild their lives in Chicago. In addition to finding and furnishing their first apartment, our team works together to provide everything from English classes and youth programming to employment assistance and comprehensive mental health care. We connect recently-arrived families with volunteer co-sponsors, tutors, or mentors, and other resources in the community to help them acclimate to life in the U.S. and achieve their goals. We've also deployed staff to help process Afghan families at U.S. military bases.
IF I CO-SPONSOR OR VOLUNTEER, WILL THE FAMILY OR INDIVIDUAL I WORK WITH BE FROM AFGHANISTAN?
As we face the largest refugee crisis in history, those coming from Afghanistan represent only a portion of the refugees we’ll welcome to Chicago. Others will come from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and the Northern Triangle. Unless you have the language skills to work with a particular population, you’ll be matched with a refugee based on need, not their nationality or ethnicity.
I LIVE OUTSIDE OF CHICAGOLAND. HOW CAN I HELP REFUGEES FROM AFGHANISTAN AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD?
There are many ways to support refugees, whether you live in a city where they are resettled or not.
1. Donate to RefugeeOne or a resettlement agency near you (see below).
2. Find a resettlement agency near you. See if they have a need for financial or in-kind donations, volunteers, co-sponsors or other ways you can support their work. If you're more than 100 miles from the nearest site, visit this website to learn about becoming an Afghan Placement & Assistance Community Partner.
3. Advocate for refugees, both those already in the U.S. and those hoping to find safety here. Dial (202) 224-3121 to urge your representatives to pass an Afghan Adjustment Act, or contact our friends at Refugee Action Network for more advocacy info.
I KNOW SOMEONE WHO WORKED FOR AN AMERICAN CONTRACTOR. WHAT CAN THEY DO NOW?
For the latest news, visit www.state.gov.
HOW CAN I SUPPORT MY AFGHAN FRIENDS WHO ARE HERE?
It may feel intimidating or emotionally difficult to talk to Afghan friends, colleagues, or acquaintances who might be directly impacted by what’s happening right now. Here are some tips for engaging in those conversations with care.
1. It's okay to bring it up. Start with something like, "I've been watching the news and hearing about what's happening in Afghanistan. How are you doing? Do you want to talk about it?"
2. Respect their decision to talk or not. Some people have strong feelings to share, others might prefer to avoid the topic.
3. Avoid statements that encourage folks to "look on the bright side" such as, "at least you and your family are safe here." Many may be experiencing survivor's guilt or still have family overseas, and comments like this can exacerbate those feelings even if they are meant to be comforting.
4. Instead, try to validate whatever individuals might be feeling. "I can only imagine what you might be going through right now. I'm here to listen and be with you if you'd like."

How You Can Help

ADVOCATE

You can make a difference for Afghans fleeing violence and persecution by urging Congress and the Biden Administration to expand protections for those most at risk.

Click here to email your elected leaders or dial (202) 224-3121 to connect directly with their office. Tell them it’s critical to evacuate all of our allies to U.S. territory, provide international aid for humanitarian response, offer temporary protected status for Afghans in the U.S., and halt deportations for all Afghans from the U.S.

DONATE

Although the federal government provides limited funding for resettlement, there is always a significant gap between that amount and what it truly takes to help a family become self-sufficient. Our top priority now is raising funds to pay for rent, food, and other items these families will need. Donate here.

VOLUNTEER OR
CO- SPONSOR

Due to an extraordinary outpouring of support, we are waitlisting new volunteer and co-sponsor applications. Click here to submit an application to be waitlisted for an individual volunteer role (tutor, mentor, etc.)

Co-sponsorship: For groups interested in co-sponsoring a newly-arriving refugee family (from Afghanistan or elsewhere!), fill out this brief interest form to be added to our waitlist.

HIRE A REFUGEE

Do you or someone you know own a business in Chicagoland that is accessible via public transportation? Know of an employer who's hiring? Get in touch with our employment team by emailing pruble@refugeeone.org. While we’re especially in need of jobs for folks with limited English skills, we’re also seeking opportunities for those with more advanced English skills and professional backgrounds.

IN-KIND DONATIONS

Given our small, temporary space and lack of storage, we unfortunately can’t accept in-kind donations at this time. We will also announce any special drives on this page of our website and via email. Sign up for our emails here.