This article from last month reminds us of the difficult reality for tens of thousands of Afghan allies left in the country after the United States withdrawal in August 2021. Sanaullah, an interpreter for the US military since 2018, is one of 74,000 applicants of the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) that had been promised to those who worked directly with the US military. He has been running from the Taliban since he first began his work with the US and is now in hiding for the protection of himself and his family. His story, unfortunately, is common for what is estimated to be hundreds of thousands who (directly or indirectly) supported the US mission over the last 20 years.

In some ways, Sanaullah is one of the fortunate ones, in that he holds a valid Afghan passport. This and his access to necessary funds for legal entry into Pakistan means that he has a good chance of making it to a US embassy for the required in-person interview - the last remaining step in his application process. Others are not so fortunate. Due to the heavy bribes imposed by the Taliban-led Afghan government and the high risk of even applying for a passport, those without will have a much more difficult time getting to a US embassy. To make such a journey even more difficult, paying a bribe to anyone affiliated with the Taliban can be considered as "support to a terrorist organization," seriously jeopardizing any chance of clearing stringent US security checks.

For so many of our allies left in Afghanistan (and even those who made it to what is called a third country), the situation is becoming hopeless. The US has simply let them down. To be fair, this crisis has been an immense burden on an already strained government system. From July 2021 to July 2022, the government has moved quickly to approve about 15,000 SIV applications. This is remarkable. Unfortunately, even sustaining that rate, it will take another 5 years just to process SIV applications in the backlog. Those still completing their paperwork will have some 75,000 applicants ahead of them. It is not just former military personnel or contractors either, but women who worked as activists, journalists, students and educators are also caught in this impossible situation, along with countless others.

Our government's unwillingness over the years to reform an inefficient and ineffective immigration, asylum, and refugee system, and its failure to act even now, is taking its toll on our allies. This could have disastrous consequences going forward. One particularly troubling report this week is the active recruitment among former Afghan special forces by a Russian mercenary group. These commandos are highly trained by US Navy SEAL and Green Beret forces and number an estimated 20,000-30,000. Despite their ties to the US military and the mutual risk of leaving them behind, only a few hundred top officers were evacuated. These men are being actively hunted by the Taliban and have such few options that the promise of $1,500 per month and Russian visas for them and their family members is enough to convince them to fight for Russia in Putin's war in Ukraine. Our Afghan allies will be meeting our Ukrainian allies on the battlefield.

With all this bad news, there is some hope that change is coming. In addition to the problems faced by Afghans, traditional refugee resettlement has also been slow to pick up after historically low admissions during the previous administration. Beginning in 2023, the State Department will double its staff overseas (from 1,000 to 2,000 employees) to speed up the process at resettlement support centers, and has appointed a special advisor for refugee resettlement. There does appear to a serious effort towards streamlining the processes in order to make good on our commitments to those who have been waiting and languishing.

While the practice of humanitarian parole for Afghans is being replaced by Operation Enduring Welcome, the experiment of quickly resettling 83,000 and granting entrance to thousands of Ukrainians through humanitarian parole has shown that the US can act quickly to support those seeking refuge. Leaders and advocates in resettlement are cautiously optimistic that 2023 will bring more serious progress on much needed reform.

Where does the Church fit in with all of this? Simply reading what I've shared here is something of importance. Hearing the stories, learning more about the evolving issues, and sharing them with others makes a difference. Your congregation may not be in a location or in a position to do a sponsorship or cosponsorship, but you can tell the story of Afghans, Ukrainians, Venezuelans, asylum seekers, and refugees from all over the world. You can name them in your prayers as you gather for worship. You can lift them up as examples of the sort of communities into which God became incarnate, for whom Christ lived and served in his earthly ministry, and to whom he sends us as the body of Christ today. If anything is clear about the compounding crises of forcibly displaced people in our world today, it is that our society and nation will be dealing with it for years to come. With our voice, our hearts, and our hands in that response, we may well make it better.

Rev. Peder Johanson (he/his)

Read about and watch an interview with Najib Azad, whose new book about his journey out of Afghanistan is available now.

Do you know someone who can translate Pashto? The Catholic Multicultural Center in Madison is in need of additional translators as they prepare legal immigration/asylum applications for Afghans. If you can help them or refer someone to them, they'd greatly appreciate it! Contact:

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.

We are looking for Lost Passports – Lost between Wisconsin Dells and Chicago bus station!

Other items were lost but the most important are two Afghan passports. See this Facebook post for a redacted image of the passport and to share on your social media account. The passports cannot be replaced since the Taliban have occupied Afghanistan. He would be so grateful if the passport can be returned. No questions will be asked. If anyone has the passports please send to:

Jewish Social Services in Madison 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 for congregations and community groups in South-Central Wisconsin.

For more information, contact:

Autumn Yael Fearing-Kabler (they/them/theirs)

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.

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.