After the Afghan Airlift: What to know & How to help

Network for Social Justice (NFSJ)

On October 13, 2021, the Network for Social Justice (NFSJ) , an organization in Winchester, MA whose mission is to advance a movement for equity and inclusion through addressing structural change, held a panel discussion to highlight the challenges faced by Afghans after the Taliban usurped the government. One of the goals of the discussion was to educate people who were interested in learning about the current situation in Afghanistan. The vast majority of those Afghans who bravely worked for the Americans are still there - trapped - and their life is in danger. The panel was headed by Karen Hirshfeld, a former aid worker in Afghanistan. She provided an overview of the current situation, challenges faced by those who managed to leave the country, the resources available to them, and how we can all help.

Background

The Taliban took over Afghanistan quickly after the American troops pulled out. The Taliban, long-time enemies of the Americans, vowed to retaliate against Afghans who worked for them during the long 20-year war. There have been reports of Afghans going door-to-door and executing people who did work for the US. Many of these Afghans are eligible for visas that will allow them to resettle in the United States, though the process is backlogged for years. Some 20,000 have made their way here, thus beginning the long journey of rebuilding their lives. The US government gives them financial assistance for three months, after which point, they are supposed to become financially independent. The panelists discussed the many challenges facing these people and the different facets of the ecosystem.

The Panel

The audience first heard from Ashiqullah Ahmadi, an Afghan who worked as an interpreter for the US Army. He came to the US from Kabul in late August, during the chaotic pull-out, and currently lives in Virginia. He spoke about his harrowing journey out of Afghanistan, and the many challenges now facing him - including finding a job and getting his kids enrolled in school "this is the most important - the children are our future." He continues to face challenges even after coming to the US. For example, it was difficult for him to find living quarters and after that to get a cosigner. Likewise, transportation also posed a big issue, “it is still a big challenge for me to take my kids to their appointments.”  Ashiqullah’s story illustrates how hard it is for refugees/asylum seekers coming to this country - the logistical hurdles and financial difficulties, and, not to mention “the trauma they carry with them, and the sadness of having to leave their homes.” It also shows their resilience and strength. 

Dierdre Giblin, a lawyer with the Massachusetts Legal Reform Institute and NFSJ Board Clerk, then spoke about the different kinds of visas and processes by which Afghans are coming to the US, including the one that Ashiqullah used to get here. As mentioned previously, the immigration system is severely backlogged - the wait for responses to visa applications is years - and people don't have that long to wait. The Taliban are actively hunting down and killing people who worked for the US. 

The audience also heard from Marianne Boswell, founder of a Lexington-based non-profit organization, LexRAP (Lexington Refugee Assistance Program), that helps refugees and asylum seekers settle in this country. She started LexRAP in the fall of 2015. At that time, people walked to Europe to escape violence in Syria and North Africa. Her motivation is to give the refugees, most of whom were trying “to escape persecution and violence, an outstretched hand of help. Unless your ancestors were brought to this land on a slave ship or were Native Americans, all Americans came here for a better life.”  

Another organization assisting Afghans resettling in Massachusetts is Worcester-based Ascentria, whose Chief Community Services Officer, Aimee Mitchell, spoke on the panel as well. They both spoke about the resources available to people like Ashiqullah, and the challenges faced by them both before and after they came to this country.

This Zoom-based event was very well received with over 60 registrations. WHS students volunteered and attended the panel.

If you are interested in supporting Afghan asylum seekers, consider a donation: