The Plight Of Afghan Refugees: Stimulating A New Beginning

Afghanistan has been suffering from conflict and instability for over four decades, with the country's citizens facing violence, natural disasters, chronic poverty, food insecurity, and the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, there are currently over 8 million Afghan refugees worldwide, making it one of the largest refugee-producing countries. Afghan refugees have fled to various countries, including Pakistan, Iran, India, and countries in Europe and North America. The United States, in particular, has a long history of welcoming Afghan refugees, including those who worked with the U.S. government during its mission in Afghanistan. To support these refugees, the U.S. government passed an economic stimulus law in 2021 to provide direct payments to eligible individuals, including some asylum seekers. This law aims to provide financial assistance to those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The US has a history of welcoming Afghan refugees, including those who worked with the US government during the US mission in Afghanistan

The US has a long history of welcoming refugees, including those who worked with the US government during the US mission in Afghanistan. The US has welcomed over 70,000 Afghans who were forced to flee their country since August 2021.

The US has also supported the resettlement of Afghan refugees in other countries. For example, the US has provided funding to the International Rescue Committee (IRC), which has helped resettle 10,000 new arrivals. The IRC has offices in 28 states across the US and is helping newly-arrived Afghans, including those who worked with the US in Afghanistan.

The US has also supported the resettlement of Afghan refugees in other countries. For example, the US has provided funding to the International Rescue Committee (IRC), which has helped resettle 10,000 new arrivals. The IRC has offices in 28 states across the US and is helping newly-arrived Afghans, including those who worked with the US in Afghanistan.

The US has also played a key role in Operation Allies Welcome, which was a department-led effort to resettle vulnerable Afghans, including those who worked alongside the US in Afghanistan. As part of this operation, the US provided initial processing, COVID-19 testing, vaccinations, and other medical services to Afghan nationals before connecting them with non-governmental organisations for resettlement.

The US has also supported the resettlement of Afghan refugees through its Afghan Placement and Assistance Program (APA), which places individuals in communities across the country. This program considers US-based family and friends, housing availability, community capacity, and the needs and characteristics of each case.

Asylum seekers with a valid social security number and work permit can qualify for economic impact payments

To qualify for the payment, you must:

• Not be claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return.
• Have a valid social security number and an unexpired work permit.
• Have an income below a certain amount.

If you are eligible, you can receive a payment of up to $1,400 if you are single, or up to $2,800 if you are married, with an additional $1,400 for each child. The exact amount depends on your income. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will automatically send these payments to those who:

• Have already filed their 2020 taxes.
• Filed 2019 taxes.
• Registered to receive the first economic stimulus check through a special IRS portal.

If you are eligible but did not meet any of the above criteria, you may still be able to receive the payment by claiming it as a "recovery rebate credit" when filing your 2020 taxes.

Asylum seekers can apply for a work permit 150 days after submitting an asylum application. This can be done online or by mail, and there is no fee for the initial application. However, there is a fee for renewing a work permit, which must be done at least 90 days before the current permit expires.

The US government has introduced humanitarian parole status, allowing individuals to enter the US for urgent humanitarian reasons

Humanitarian parole is granted on a case-by-case basis, with each request assessed individually. The urgent humanitarian reasons for entry might include a medical emergency, an urgent family situation, or a natural disaster. The public benefit reasons might include law enforcement or national security.

To be granted humanitarian parole, individuals must submit Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document) and Form I-134 (Declaration of Financial Support). They must also pay a filing fee of $630. Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the eligibility criteria and provide supporting evidence, such as medical reports, death certificates, or proof of family relationship. They must also show that they have sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay in the US.

The US government has broad discretionary power to interpret who is eligible for humanitarian parole. While it is a discretionary decision, there are some key factors that are considered in the process. These include the level of suffering experienced if parole is not granted and the effect of rejection on the applicant's well-being. Additionally, the existence of a strict timeline, such as the need for immediate medical treatment or the need to visit a family member who is nearing the end of their life, may also be considered.

It is important to note that humanitarian parole is not a substitute for a visa and does not provide a pathway to permanent residency or citizenship. It is a temporary solution for individuals who need to enter the US for urgent reasons but do not qualify for a visa or other immigration benefits. Once the period of humanitarian parole expires, individuals must leave the US unless they obtain another lawful immigration status or an extension of their parole.

The US has provided Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) to individuals who worked as translators or interpreters for the US government in Afghanistan

The US has a history of welcoming refugees, including those from Afghanistan. The US has provided Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) to individuals who worked as translators or interpreters for the US government in Afghanistan. These visas are available to individuals who meet the following requirements:

• The applicant must be a national of Afghanistan.
• They must have worked directly with the US Armed Forces or under the Chief of Mission (COM) authority as a translator or interpreter for at least 12 months.
• They must obtain a favourable written recommendation from a General or Flag Officer in the chain of command of the US Armed Forces unit they supported, or from the Chief of Mission at the US Embassy where they worked.
• Spouses and unmarried children (under 21 years old) of a primary SIV applicant are also eligible for SIVs.

The process of obtaining a Special Immigrant Visa involves several steps, including submitting a petition, completing an online visa application, collecting and submitting necessary documents, and attending an interview. The process typically takes around nine months but can take much longer due to administrative issues and delays.

The SIV program is intended to protect Afghans who worked for the US government and now face serious threats to their safety as a result of their employment. However, the slow and cumbersome process has left many applicants feeling betrayed and at risk of retaliation from the Taliban.

The Priority 2 (P2) program supports Afghans who are at risk due to their US affiliation but are not eligible for an SIV

The Priority 2 (P2) program is a special access program that provides vulnerable Afghans, who are at risk due to their association with the US but are not eligible for an SIV, the opportunity to permanently resettle in the United States. This program is intended for Afghans who worked for the US government, US military, or US-based NGOs and media organisations but did not meet the minimum time-in-service requirement for an SIV. This includes Afghans who worked as:

• Employees of contractors
• Locally employed staff
• Interpreters/translators for the US government, US Forces Afghanistan (USFOR-A), International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), or Resolute Support
• Employees of US government-funded programs or projects in Afghanistan supported through US government grants or cooperative agreements
• Employees of US-based media organisations or non-governmental organisations (NGOs)

Afghans and their eligible family members (spouse and children of any age, whether married or unmarried) can be referred to the P2 program by a US government agency. For NGOs and media organisations that were not funded by the US government but are headquartered in the US, the senior-most US citizen employee of that organisation may make a referral.

The P2 program is managed by the State Department's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), which has created a USRAP Afghan Referrals Workgroup to refer individuals directly to the USRAP.

The application process for the P2 program includes the following steps:

• The applicant is referred to the US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) by a US government official or the senior-most US citizen employee of the organisation where the individual worked. The referrer will submit a packet of initial documents, including proof of employment, copies of passports or other identification documents, and copies of marriage, divorce, death, or birth certificates.
• The Department of State approves the initial petition and notifies the applicant of their successful referral.
• The applicant and their family must escape Afghanistan on their own and reach a third country, where they can contact the Department of State to begin the refugee resettlement process. Refugee processing is not available in Afghanistan or Iran.
• The Resettlement Support Center conducts an in-depth pre-screening interview with the applicant, including the collection of biographic information.
• The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) conducts additional screening interviews to determine the eligibility of the individual for resettlement.
• The applicant undergoes medical screening and numerous additional biometric and biographic security checks, matching data with national and international databases.
• Sponsorship assurance is provided by a refugee resettlement agency in the US, travel arrangements are coordinated by the International Organization for Migration, and applicants are resettled in the US with refugee status.

Upon resettlement, P2 refugees are eligible for numerous public benefits, including lawful permanent residence (green card status) after one year of residence in the US, refugee support services (such as employment services and English language classes), healthcare, and financial assistance.

Frequently asked questions