More than 1,500 Afghan evacuees could be resettled in New England in coming months

More than 1,500 Afghan evacuees could be resettled in New England in the coming weeks and months, as immigrant and community organizations work to secure housing and funding for their anticipated arrival.

Following the U.S. pullout from Afghanistan after the 20-year Global War on Terror, about 65,000 evacuees are expected to come to the U.S. by the end of September via a program called "Operation Allies Welcome," which includes translators, drivers and others who aided the U.S. military, as well as those who fear retribution from the Taliban.

The Biden administration began notifying state officials last week how many of the first group of nearly 37,000 Afghan evacuees their states can expect.

Massachusetts is slated to see approximately 900 evacuees. The International Institute of New England (IINE) is preparing to settle around 150 of them in the Lowell area – where a small Afghan population is already established – while the mayor of Worcester has said his city is prepared to take 300 to 350. The Jewish Family Service chapters of MetroWest and Western Massachusetts have said they hope to house 150 evacuees in Framingham, Springfield and Pittsfield.

The Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island – the only agency in that state authorized to resettle refugees – will welcome at least 150. Catholic Social Services has said it is also interested in resettling Afghans in Rhode Island.

In Concord, New Hampshire, the Ascentria Care Alliance is planning to welcome 100 Afghans, while the IINE looks to bring some to nearby Manchester, as well.

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The Vermont chapter of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants got the go-ahead last week to welcome up to 100 evacuees, while Catholic Charities Maine has also been approved to resettle 100. And in Connecticut, approximately 310 are expected.

In a statement last Thursday announcing the news, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott said his state has a "moral obligation" to help Afghans who assisted the U.S. in the War on Terror. The refugees, he said, will also "strengthen communities, schools, our workforce, culture and economy."   

How are Afghan evacuees being resettled?

Julieann Cofone, director of public relations and communications at Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island, said it expects to receive at least a week’s notice before an individual or family arrives, but a general timeline is unknown.

“This is a humanitarian crisis of near-epic proportions," said Dorcas Executive Director Kathy Cloutier in a statement. Information about incoming evacuees is changing daily. 

At least 150 evacuees:Afghans expected to arrive in Rhode Island in coming weeks

Afghans currently en route to the U.S. are undergoing security vetting and screening in countries such as Bahrain, Germany, Kuwait, Italy, Qatar, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates. Others have arrived at U.S. military bases.

Thousands of people are still trying to flee Afghanistan, including U.S. citizens and those with green cards. 

The Department of Homeland Security says the government is "working around the clock" to screen and vet vulnerable evacuees, "consistent with the dual goals of protecting national security and providing protection for vulnerable Afghans." 

Most Afghan nationals will be "paroled" into the U.S. for a period of two years, designated as humanitarian parolees. Once they are paroled by Customs and Border Protection, they may be eligible to apply for immigration status. As designated humanitarian parolees – and not refugees – they are currently ineligible for federal aid.

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According to the State Department, the Afghans who have completed the Special Immigrant Visa process – for which they are eligible if they worked with U.S. forces – have two resettlement options: an agency can match them to a location based on family information, as well as cost of living, housing availability, employment opportunities, and strong resettlement services; or they can list a person who they would like to be resettled near, "but it is very important to be aware of the cost of living and housing availability."

The State Department has recommended 19 cities for the resettlement of Afghans, none of which are in New England – though organizations in all six states have been granted approval to welcome them.

Lowell, Massachusetts has the largest community of Afghan refugees in New England, where IINE has settled nearly all of its 330 Afghan refugees since 2014. Many arriving Afghans will join family members already living in Lowell and nearby communities, said Diane Shohet, IINE director of development and communications.

Arriving Afghans face challenges ahead, will need support

The refugee experience is a "very unique way of migration," said Omar Bah, founder of the Refugee Dream Center in Providence, Rhode Island, in that it's forced by traumatizing factors such as war, violence, torture and rape.

"You leave with nothing," said Bah, who is a torture survivor and refugee from The Gambia in West Africa. "Many people are in refugee camps in other countries. The lucky ones end up in the United States, but that is not the end of the journey. It's the beginning."

Bah fled The Gambia in 2006 after the national police force declared a manhunt for him because of his work as a journalist. He arrived in Rhode Island in 2007.

Arriving Afghans will require myriad services, such as English language instruction, youth mentorship, housing, health promotion and legal assistance – all offered by the Refugee Dream Center. A huge piece, Bah said, and perhaps one of the most important, is friendship. 

"You probably don't even know the name of the city you are going to until the day before you arrive," he said.  "A first focus is to get them to feel at home. Home is where you feel welcome and connected to the community."

The Refugee Dream Center serves about 500 people at any given time, but during COVID-19, its client base spiked to 2,000 as more people needed help.

States, communities seek funding and infrastructure to assist Afghans

According to the Boston Globe, arriving Afghan evacuees will receive a cell phone, housing and $1,250 from the federal government. Most of the other money needed must be raised through donations, because the newcomers' designation is short of refugee status. 

"A significant number of evacuees will not be immediately eligible for public assistance," said Jeff Thielman, CEO of the International Institute of New England, in a recent newsletter. "These individuals will need case management, direct financial support, English language training, and more."

IINE will require at least $3 million to resettle Afghans in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, Shohet said, and that figure could increase if more evacuees end up coming to the region. 

Community effort: Mayor says Worcester ready to welcome more than 300 refugees from Afghanistan

Worcester, Massachusetts Mayor Joseph Petty has said his city is organizing with several community partners and private enterprises to coordinate housing, education, health care and mental health resources – and that will need funding.

"We estimate the costs at about half a million dollars and we're going to try to raise that money," Petty said earlier this month. The United Way of Central Massachusetts, for example, has already donated $100,000 from the funding it received last year from billionaire Mackenzie Scott. 

Residents, faith leaders and legislators from Acton and surrounding communities are also trying to set up networks to support arriving Afghans. An informal meeting was held last week.

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"This is the largest effort I've seen in my senate district," said state Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Acton. 

Some organizations have urged Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker to set aside money for services for Afghans, from either the federal American Rescue Plan Act or the state's fiscal 2021 surplus. 

How can I help Afghan evacuees? With money, time and housing.

Shohet said people can support IINE in its resettling efforts by donating to provide direct financial support to the evacuees, as well as funding legal assistance and the hiring of new case management staff.

"We estimate that each evacuee will need $1,000 per month from private sources for at least six months to meet basic needs," she said.

People can also volunteer by providing housing, airport pickup, apartment setup, food distribution and pro bono legal services.

Since news has spread that Afghans will arrive in Rhode Island at some point, Bah said many people have reached out to the Refugee Dream Center to donate clothing, toiletries and school supplies. 

Dorcas last week also put out a call for cash donations, volunteers and housing offers. 

A new national effort emerged last week called Welcome.US to assist Afghan families, supported by former presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Through Welcome.US, people can donate time and resources, offer short-term housing through Airbnb, or sponsor individual families in their journeys.