Since the change in leadership in Afghanistan in 2021, a staggering 83,000 Afghans have sought refuge in the United States, fleeing turmoil and uncertainty in their homeland. In response to this humanitarian crisis, Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA) has been actively engaged in providing vital assistance to newly arrived Afghan citizens as they navigate the transition to their new home. IRUSA’s efforts encompass a range of support services aimed at addressing the immediate and long-term needs of Afghan refugees.
Refugee arrival and orientation
Upon their arrival, IRUSA greets refugees and provides essential orientation services, including transportation from the airport and access to interpreters to facilitate communication. In recognition of the challenges of starting anew in a foreign land, IRUSA offers practical assistance such as cash support, rental aid, and legal guidance to help refugees establish stability and security. Case management services also encompass a wide range of support, including medical assistance, ensuring that refugees receive the healthcare they require.
Displacement has a profound impact on mental well-being, IRUSA prioritizes mental health and psychosocial support, offering counseling and therapeutic services to help people cope with trauma and adjust to their new home. In addition, the organization distributes hygiene kits and clothing to meet basic needs and promote dignity among refugees. To address food insecurity, food boxes containing essential items such as flour, rice, oil, sugar, lentils, green tea, salt, and beans, ensure that families have access to nutritious meals.
Operation Allies Welcome
IRUSA recognizes the importance of long-term sustainable solutions in addressing the complex challenges faced by Afghan refugees. When the US military withdrew from the country, tens of thousands of Afghans came to the United States on humanitarian parole under Operation Allies Welcome. Led by the United States government, this represents a concerted effort to evacuate and resettle Afghan allies, including interpreters, translators, and others who supported the US mission in Afghanistan, as well as vulnerable Afghans facing threats due to their association with Western forces or advocacy for human rights, democracy, and gender equality.
The primary goal of Operation Allies Welcome was to provide a haven for Afghan allies and their families, offering them protection from reprisals and persecution while facilitating their resettlement in the United States. This initiative encompasses a range of activities, including evacuating eligible people from Afghanistan, processing their visa applications, coordinating their transportation to the United States, and providing essential support services upon their arrival.
However, humanitarian parole under Operation Allies Welcome does not offer a path to US citizenship. Rather, its protection lasts just one to two years. The Afghan Adjustment Act proposes a significant policy shift, mirroring past legislation like the Cuban Adjustment Act, to grant Afghan refugees the opportunity for lawful permanent resident status.
Afghan Adjustment Act
As part of their commitment to advocating for the rights and well-being of Afghan refugees, IRUSA encourages people to support initiatives like the Afghan Adjustment Act and to sponsor newly arrived Afghan families. By amplifying supportive voices and offering practical support, IRUSA helps Afghan refugees to rebuild their lives and integrate successfully into their new communities. The organization provides ongoing assistance and support to Afghan people.
By recognizing the vulnerable circumstances under which these individuals arrived, the Act aims to rectify any punitive measures they might face for being evacuated. The proposed legislation outlines a pathway to permanent status for Afghans who entered the United States on humanitarian parole within a specified timeframe. It also provides discretionary waiver authority to address potential barriers to permanent status arising from existing laws that fail to consider the realities of Afghanistan’s current political landscape under Taliban rule.
Fixing the current asylum system
The Act’s proponents argue that without such legislation, Afghan refugees would be forced into the already overwhelmed asylum system, exacerbating existing backlogs and potentially subjecting them to unnecessary trauma. There is an urgent need for fairness and efficiency in processing the cases of Afghan refugees, given the dire situation they fled. Additionally, the Act’s supporters highlight the strain that an influx of new asylum claims from Afghan refugees would place on an already burdened immigration court system. Proponents stress the moral imperative and practical necessity of passing the Afghan Adjustment Act to ensure the humane treatment and expedited processing of Afghan refugees seeking safety in the United States.
Moreover, the Afghan Adjustment Act extends eligibility for humanitarian relief and immigration benefits to a broader spectrum of Afghan refugees, including individuals and families who may not have directly worked with US entities but are facing imminent danger or persecution in their home country. By expanding eligibility criteria and removing bureaucratic barriers, the Act seeks to ensure that Afghan refugees receive the support and assistance they need to rebuild their lives and integrate into American society. This legislation would cover individuals who entered the US between July 1, 2021, and July 1, 2025.
Conclusion
By supporting the Afghan Adjustment Act, policymakers and advocates like Islamic Relief USA are sending a powerful message of solidarity and support to Afghan refugees, reaffirming the United States’ commitment to upholding humanitarian values and providing refuge to those fleeing violence and persecution.