Refuge for Afghans
Following the U.S. withdrawal, thousands of Afghans are in urgent need of protection.
RefugeeOne is walking alongside them.
RefugeeOne is walking alongside them.
How We're Responding
Updated August 2022
As we mark the one-year anniversary of the emergency evacuation of Afghans fleeing the Taliban, we’re taking time to celebrate Afghan newcomers’ tremendous resilience and adaptability as they rebuild their lives in Chicago.
Most have their first U.S. American jobs in industries like manufacturing, food production, and cleaning services at O’Hare airport. Children have begun a new school year with confidence. College students, including 10 young women at DePaul University, are starting the semester proud to represent the future of Afghan Americans.
Many Afghan newcomers have built a flourishing community through RefugeeOne. Co-sponsor teams, who helped furnish apartments and make airport pick ups, are now counted as dear friends who make regular visits. Newcomers have learned to navigate their neighborhoods, explored educational and career goals, and practiced English over shared cups of tea with volunteer mentors and tutors.
There are, of course, continued struggles. The August anniversary marks one year since so many Afghan refugees had to heart-wrenchingly say goodbye to their families, friends, and homes. Family is a cornerstone of Afghan culture, and for those separated from their loved ones, the wait for reunification is agonizing. Wives are separated from husbands, children from parents. Most of us cannot imagine the pain.
Unfortunately, there is currently no clear path for guaranteed long-term residency for Afghan evacuees, or for reunification with family members left behind. Because they lack a secure status to remain in the U.S., RefugeeOne is helping hundreds of Afghans apply for asylum. We hired a staff attorney to co-labor alongside pro-bono and low-bono attorneys in this urgent and important work. Our staff and clients await these critical decisions, which we hope will offer solace and security to those living in limbo.
Meanwhile, we continue to advocate for the passage of the Afghan Adjustment Act, which would provide a roadmap to lawful permanent residency for Afghans and vulnerable family members still overseas. Without this change in legislation, many risk the unknown – be it losing a job or deportation while their application is pending in an overwhelmed asylum and immigration court system. We urge you to join us in advocating for the protection of newcomers by telling your Members of Congress to support and pass the Afghan Adjustment Act.
Most have their first U.S. American jobs in industries like manufacturing, food production, and cleaning services at O’Hare airport. Children have begun a new school year with confidence. College students, including 10 young women at DePaul University, are starting the semester proud to represent the future of Afghan Americans.
Many Afghan newcomers have built a flourishing community through RefugeeOne. Co-sponsor teams, who helped furnish apartments and make airport pick ups, are now counted as dear friends who make regular visits. Newcomers have learned to navigate their neighborhoods, explored educational and career goals, and practiced English over shared cups of tea with volunteer mentors and tutors.
There are, of course, continued struggles. The August anniversary marks one year since so many Afghan refugees had to heart-wrenchingly say goodbye to their families, friends, and homes. Family is a cornerstone of Afghan culture, and for those separated from their loved ones, the wait for reunification is agonizing. Wives are separated from husbands, children from parents. Most of us cannot imagine the pain.
Unfortunately, there is currently no clear path for guaranteed long-term residency for Afghan evacuees, or for reunification with family members left behind. Because they lack a secure status to remain in the U.S., RefugeeOne is helping hundreds of Afghans apply for asylum. We hired a staff attorney to co-labor alongside pro-bono and low-bono attorneys in this urgent and important work. Our staff and clients await these critical decisions, which we hope will offer solace and security to those living in limbo.
Meanwhile, we continue to advocate for the passage of the Afghan Adjustment Act, which would provide a roadmap to lawful permanent residency for Afghans and vulnerable family members still overseas. Without this change in legislation, many risk the unknown – be it losing a job or deportation while their application is pending in an overwhelmed asylum and immigration court system. We urge you to join us in advocating for the protection of newcomers by telling your Members of Congress to support and pass the Afghan Adjustment Act.
Updated April 2022
Since August 2021, more than 1,500 Afghans have made 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.
Like all refugees who come through our doors, we first 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.
Like all refugees who come through our doors, we first 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.
Afghan Adjustment Act: Contact your Representative
Most Afghans evacuees arrived under a temporary immigration status and no clear pathway to permanent residency. We're urging Congress to pass the Afghan Adjustment Act so these individuals have the same rights as those with Special Immigrant Visas or refugee status.
Without this change in legislation, many risk the unknown – be it losing a job or deportation while their application is pending in an overwhelmed asylum and immigration court system.
You can make a difference for Afghans fleeing violence and persecution by urging your representatives and the Biden Administration to expand protections for those most at risk.
Without this change in legislation, many risk the unknown – be it losing a job or deportation while their application is pending in an overwhelmed asylum and immigration court system.
You can make a difference for Afghans fleeing violence and persecution by urging your representatives and the Biden Administration to expand protections for those most at risk.
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 U.S. 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 arrive with one of the legal 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.- Special Immigrant Visa (SIV). Available to Afghan nationals who were employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government within Afghanistan for two+ years. This program allows individuals who qualify and immediate family members to apply directly to the U.S. for resettlement, as opposed to waiting for a UNHCR referral.
- Priority 2 (P2) Visa. 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, as well as those who worked in Afghanistan for a U.S.-based media company or a non-governmental organization.
- Humanitarian Parole. Most Afghan evacuees who arrived in the U.S. entered under humanitarian parole, which is a temporary status allowing a parolee to stay in the U.S. up to 2 years while applying for a longer term residency solution, like asylum.
- HOW MANY AFGHANS HAVE ARRIVED IN CHICAGO?
Approximately 2,500 refugees from Afghanistan have settled in the Chicago area since August 2021, according to the Illinois Department of Human Services. RefugeeOne welcomed more than 500 of them. Afghans represent just a portion of the refugees who RefugeeOne and other resettlement agencies serve, as individuals and families from all over the world continue to arrive. - WHERE ARE NEWLY ARRIVING REFUGEES HOUSED? CAN I HOST A FAMILY IN MY HOME?
RefugeeOne locates affordable apartment rentals near Chicago's north side West Ridge neighborhood for all newly arriving refugees, giving them easy access to public transit and regularly accessed resources, including RefugeeOne's headquarters. We provide refugee families their own private housing, rented in their own name, giving them independence and the opportunity to start building credit immediately. We don't have a volunteer host home program.
- WHAT IS REFUGEEONE’S ROLE IN WELCOMING REFUGEES?
RefugeeOne and our 1,000+ 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 English classes, employment assistance, youth programming, comprehensive mental health care, and more. 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.
- 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 are welcoming to Chicago. Others are arriving 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.- Donate to RefugeeOne or a resettlement agency near you (see below).
- Find a resettlement agency near you. See if they have a need for financial or in-kind donations, volunteers, or other ways you can support their work.
- Advocate for refugees, both those already in the U.S. and those hoping to find safety here. Click here to take action and Urge Congress to Swiftly Pass the Bipartisan Afghan Adjustment Act.
- I KNOW AN AFGHAN NATIONAL WHO WORKED FOR A U.S. 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.- 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?"
- Respect their decision to talk or not. Some people have strong feelings to share, others might prefer to avoid the topic.
- 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.
- Instead, try to validate whatever an individual might be feeling. "I can't 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
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ADVOCATE
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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 contact your elected leaders or dial (202) 224-3121 to connect directly with their office. Tell them it’s critical to pass the Afghan Adjustment Act so all Afghans have access to lasting safety in the U.S. |
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DONATE
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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 newly-arriving families need. Donate here.
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VOLUNTEER OR
CO- SPONSOR |
Volunteer to be mentor a refugee adult or tutor a school-aged refugee student. (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.) Apply here.
For groups interested in co-sponsoring a newly-arriving refugee family, click here to learn more and fill out a brief interest form and we'll follow up. |
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HIRE A REFUGEE
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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 email info@refugeeone.org with the subject "Hiring Refugees." 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.
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IN-KIND DONATIONS
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Given our lack of storage, we unfortunately can’t accept in-kind donations outside our designated donations calendar. We will announce these special drives on this page of our website and via email. Sign up for our emails here.
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