Communities are stepping up to support Afghan arrivals.
 ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

 

 

 

**B Stands for Backing**

Good morning,

Despite calls

to extend the evacuation process, U.S. troops completed their withdrawal
from Afghanistan on Tuesday, marking the end of the 20-year war. The
last week has been filled with heartbreaking reports about those left
behind and the escalating violence breaking out in the country.
Uncertainty and instability looms for vulnerable Afghans still in the
country, including those who assisted the U.S. military, with the
Taliban now in control.

Contrary to the narrative that the U.S. is letting Afghans into the
country without proper vetting
,
there is a thorough

security process

each person must undergo before being admitted into the U.S. In addition
to undergoing biometric and biographical screening prior to boarding
their flight, Afghan nationals are vetted again upon arrival, and any
flagged for concern undergo additional security processing.

Those cleared for stay in the U.S. still have a tough road ahead of them
.
Refugee resettlement organizations across the country have had little
time to prepare for these new arrivals, and many are still recovering
from the impact COVID-19 has had on their staffing levels and budget.
Securing housing for Afghan refugees is an essential but difficult task,
and it is common to see large refugee families, including extended
family members, share a small apartment or house. Without rental
histories, Social Security numbers or steady income, many landlords are
hesitant to rent to refugees, limiting the options for affordable
housing. Even with these challenges, local agencies are eager to receive
new refugees.

Local churches and communities across the country
are stepping
in to help coordinate housing, furnishings, transportation and donations
for arriving Afghans. Chitra Hanstad, Executive Director of World Relief
Seattle
,
so far has 260 people signed up to provide host homes: "We are seeing
people step up for temporary housing. We also see folks that have
mother-in-law units and that have Airbnb that they are willing to rent
out permanently." In West Michigan
,
Bethany Christian Services has seen a similar response from local
communities, which will soon be welcoming approximately 100 Afghans.
Churches in the city of Las Cruces
,
NM are used to helping migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border, but are now
also helping Afghan refugees arriving at nearby Holloman Air Force Base.
The Vietnamese-American community

has also been active in supporting Afghan refugees, reflecting their
experience after the Vietnam War.

As harmful rhetoric and misinformation about Afghan refugees continues,
we are encouraged by the response of these communities. We also
appreciate state leaders, including Utah Gov. Spencer Cox
,
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker

and Gov. Eric J. Holcomb

of Indiana, who are speaking up and offering assistance. It will take a
dedicated effort by all of us to welcome these deserving Afghan allies
to their new homes.

Stay healthy and hopeful,

Adam

P.S.

****For our readers who are people of faith, we invite you to join our
friends at World Relief, Women of Welcome and We Welcome Refugees for a
"Prayer and Action Townhall for Haiti and Afghanistan" with special
guest Ann Voskamp today (Thursday, September 2) at 4pm ET. You'll hear
the latest updates on what is happening on the ground and how you can
pray and help meet the needs of struggling Haitians and Afghans. Please
register for this virtual event
and help spread the word!

**Adam Estle**
Vice President of Field and Constituencies
National Immigration Forum 

[link removed]

**NEWS CLIPS TO NOTE:**

****

**ABC NEWS:**Amid Afghanistan chaos, refugee vetting process is sound

**CHRISTIANITY TODAY:**Let the Afghan Refugees Come Unto Me

**ASSOCIATED PRESS:**Mexico: help for US on migrants "can't go on
forever"

**USA TODAY:**'They should say yes': Advocates see hope in GOP governors
offering Afghan refugees aid

**MORNING CONSULT:**Reforming Our High-Skill Immigration System Is a
National Security Imperative

 

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