Aid resettlement of Afghan refugees

Gov. Gavin Newsom is calling for $16.7 million in support for Afghan refugees looking to relocate to California “to address gaps in federal and state-funded assistance.”

Though the amount of funding seems small at a cursory glance, especially considering the spending spree Newsom and state lawmakers have been on this year, this is money well spent.

The funds will provide direct cash assistance, as well as free, temporary housing in partnership with Airbnb.

Refugees are fleeing a Taliban takeover of Afghanistan following the chaotic exit of Americans from the country.

Especially at a time of extreme polarization, we hope everyone will see the value in helping these people.

This editorial board long called for an end to the war in Afghanistan, having described it as an aimless war doomed to fail and riddled with corruption and deception. The rapid takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban sadly confirmed the folly of the war.

There’s no ignoring the horrific reality of what’s going on in Afghanistan now.

Hardline Taliban leaders been returning to power and cracking down on protests for civil rights, especially for women. The Taliban is also hunting Afghans who helped the American effort.

California is well-situated to continue doing its part to help with Afghan resettlement.

California is already home to nearly half of the people of Afghan ancestry living in the United States.  The refugees are expected to be thoroughly vetted prior to entering the United States.

And there are already well-established nonprofit and philanthropic groups here in California willing and able to assist.

We often hear claims from Sacramento that California is leading the nation on this policy or on that one.

Those claims are often dubious, but this is one instance where California can and should lead.

We owe it to the people whose country and lives were upended by two decades of war.