In the newsletter last week, I shared resources for advocacy for Afghans during this month of August, which marks the 1-year anniversary of the US military withdrawal and serves as a recess for lawmakers to spend time in their home districts. Since then, some very exciting news has come forth regarding the crucial proposed legislation that is the Afghan Adjustment Act, or AAA.

The AAA has been formally introduced with bipartisan support and will be taken up by the house and senate in the coming months! One of our neighbors to the West, Sen Amy Klobuchar is one of the Democratic sponsors. According to a statement shared by her office:

The Afghan Adjustment Act would also improve and expand the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) process, including by broadening SIV eligibility to include groups that worked alongside American forces such as the Afghan National Army Special Operations Command and the Female Tactical Teams of Afghanistan. Companion legislation is being led in the House of Representatives by Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Peter Meijer (R-MI). 

To read personal statements from each of the cosponsoring senators, click here or here.

The legislation has received the endorsement of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Veterans for American Ideals, With Honor Action, Association of Wartime Allies, Church World Service, National Immigration Forum, International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP), Afghans For a Better Tomorrow, Voice for Refuge Action Fund, Immigrant ARC, Afghan-American Foundation, Human Rights First, and the Advocates for Human Rights.

A group from Human Rights First held a press conference earlier this week to announce and encourage a swift passage of the legislation. The link above will take you to transcript of that event, with statements of support from several speakers.

International Rescue Committee (IRC) offers concise explanation as to the need for this legislation and how it will make a difference. For a more in-depth perspective and a bigger picture of the situation here and abroad, I recommend this piece from Foreign Policy.

Most staggering from the FP article is how many Afghans within the system are still in Afghanistan. It estimates over 77,000 applicants for a Special Immigrant Visa (or SIV) are living under and hiding from the Taliban government of Afghanistan. Those are allies who have filed their paperwork, and well over 10,000 have been processed through the first major hurdle. It is fair to say that when spouses and children are taken into account, the number of Afghans waiting in Afghanistan for US approval is likely three times higher. Add to that the tens of thousands of evacuees still living in lily pads overseas and we are considering over 300,000+ Afghans waiting and hoping to move permanently to the US.

It is unclear how or whether passage of the Afghan Adjustment Act will significantly speed up their arrival, but considering we are still resettling the approximately 60,000 evacuees from one year ago, it puts a number like 300k in perspective. This matters to us for a couple of reasons:

Our Afghan neighbors, both here and waiting abroad, need our continued support and advocacy. Lutheran Immigration Services offers these resources for education, prayer, and action and use can use their page to contact your legislators about this important bill. The President and CEO of LIRS, Krish O'Mara Vignarajah offers the following words of support, which may be helpful as you lend your own voice to this advocacy.

As always, thank you for your attention to this important situation, for your work as disciples of Jesus, and for the witness you are showing others through the love, care, and support to those in need.

Rev. Peder Johanson (he/his)

Volunteer Coordinator, Afghan Refugee Response

Resettlement of Afghans from processing centers abroad continues through the organized system of resettlement, managed by the federal government. Prior to the beginning of this second wave, there were about 50,000 Afghans from the August '21 evacuation still being housed in military installments overseas, known as "lily pads." They are now arriving in Wisconsin via the normal refugee pipeline, but are still being resettled through the separate Afghan Placement and Assistance Program. Consider how you and your church can assist the nearest agency in meeting these needs. As the fiscal year comes to a close, we can expect an influx of refugees over the next 2-3 months.

Affordable Housing is a need everywhere, but particularly for refugees. One issue is the difficulty in finding adequate housing upon arrival.

Dental Care is such an important component of our overall health, and many Afghans have had serious dental needs upon resettlement. Unfortunately, Badgercare reimbursement rates are so low for emergency dental services that this care has been difficult to get. WCC donated $5,000 to a dental fund at LSS last Spring and are exploring further support to this important cause. Please consider making a gift to our program or holding a fundraiser at your church to help cover emergency dental care for Afghans in Wisconsin. Your proceeds can go directly to the nearest resettlement agency or through our Afghan Refugee Response program.

Our program contributed to the Immigration Legal Service of Catholic Charities and this wonderful program. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel wrote an excellent story about its success! Article requires subscription In brief, the program has recruited and trained over 100 pro bono attorneys to assist in the highly complex and deeply sensitive asylum application process. This is challenging work, even for experienced attorneys, and made more challenging by the emotional toll of recording the traumatic stories of those who escaped. Let us give thanks to God for the leaders and volunteers of this important effort!

Another recent story was produced by NPR and aired this week. This is an interview with a Marine who served in Afghanistan and reflects on his experience during the evacuation. It is a visceral description of what those days were like at the airport in Kabul and informative to what our Afghan neighbors went through on their journey to the United States. The stories he shares may be triggering, and listener/reader discretion is advised.

LSS has a partner with 5 more apartments for future refugee arrivals in need of cleaning and painting. With the hiring shortages currently being felt across the economy, these units sit empty and unavailable until the work can be done. Paint, some supplies, and lunch will be provided, but volunteers are needed to prepare these new homes.

The apartments are 2-bedroom (about 5 rooms total) and groups must plan to complete their unit in a single day or over two consecutive days. 8-12 people is recommended. If you or your leaders would like to discuss this opportunity further, contact Rev. Peder Johanson.

North West Wisconsin - Welcoming New Neighbors, an interfaith community coalition based in Eau Claire, is working with Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin to resettle Afghans in Eau Claire. Contact Rev. Peder Johanson to be connected with their leadership.

East-Central Wisconsin - Catholic Charities in Green Bay is resettling Afghans in and around Green Bay. World Relief is resettling Afghans in Appleton and Oshkosh and offer several ways to support the effort there.

Central Wisconsin - New Beginnings for Refugees is a new resettlement agency located in Wausau, under the direction of ECDC. They are resettling families in and around Wausau, including Stevens Point, Marshfield, and Wisconsin Rapids.

South West Wisconsin - Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program, Inc (SWCAP) is working with Church World Service to resettle Afghan families in and around Platteville. For more information and to discuss how your church can support their work, contact Rev. Peder Johanson.

South Central Wisconsin - Jewish Social Services is a resettlement agency located in Madison. With the support of volunteers through Open Doors For Refugees, they are resettling families and individuals in and around Madison. Visit opendoorsforrefugees.org to learn how you and/or your congregation to volunteer.

South East Wisconsin - Lutheran Social Services is resettling and supporting Afghans primarily in Milwaukee and within a 100 mile radius. They rely on cosponsors and volunteers for much of the support to the resettlement effort and care of refugees. International Institute of Wisconsin is also resettling Afghans in Milwaukee. The Milwaukee Muslim Women's Coalition provides services and support to the refugee communities in Milwaukee.

Madison-area refugees are able to apply for funds and support for education and career development as part of our Skill Development Initiative.

Those interested in furthering their English language proficiency, pursuing higher education, developing vocational skills, or starting or growing a business are eligible to apply in 2022 for mini-grants from the American Rescue Plan grant awarded to ODFR.

Applicants may also request funds to cover transportation or child care expenses if these are obstacles to enrolling in a class or program. Click here for more information.

*Not all requests can be honored. Find the online application form here.

Jewish Social Services is looking for participants in their CARA Program. This is an opportunity for congregations to work together in securing and preparing a home and providing the initial welcome to new arrivals through the refugee resettlement program. This is a great opportunity for meaningful, short-term service, and a great way to use Mustard Seed Grant resources! For more information, contact Becca Schwartz, the Resettlement Director, at becca@jssmadison.org.

Active volunteers, cosponsor team members, and others interested in engaging with one another around refugee resettlement are invited to our private Facebook Group.

For education and worship resources, volunteer opportunities, and to give a donation towards the WCC effort in helping refugees from Afghanistan, visit our website.

This work is possible because of generous donations from judicatories, churches, and individuals.

Choose "Afghan Refugee Relief" in the fund drop-down menu.