Arizona prepares to welcome Afghan evacuees Sophia Swainson
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ov. Doug Ducey released a statement expressing Arizona’s support for Afghans attempting to flee their country’s unrest, as well as welcoming those who have received Special Immigrant Visas into the state, following the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan. In close collaboration with Arizona’s Department of Economic Security, Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest (LSSS) and Catholic Charities Community Services (CCCS) are leading efforts to help these evacuees enter Arizona and adjust to living in a new country. “They supported our military efforts and served as translators, interpreters, drivers and more — and were instrumental in our nation’s operations and the safety of [United States] soldiers,” Ducey said. “They helped our fight to defeat terrorist organizations and defend human rights, and now their lives are in danger.” The Department of Economic Security is unsure of when they will arrive, exactly, due to the complicated nature of organizing the evacuation process. Those coming into the U.S. are being granted evacuee status, as opposed to refugee status, because of Afghanistan’s current political and social climate. This means the process of receiving and settling evacuees is more difficult for involved departments to plan and, as a result, is taking longer than expected. The Afghans’ evacuee status also means they arrive in the country before completing the work permit and residence procedures that those granted refugee status have typically finalized in advance. The evacuees will need to complete these processes after arriving, subsequently delaying their ability to begin living and working in their new communities. Once the evacuees arrive in Arizona, the Department of Economic Security will connect them with LSSS or CCCS, which will directly interact with the incoming Afghans. Tasya Peterson, press secretary for the Department of Economic Security, described the role of those organizations — referred to as refugee resettlement agencies — in assisting with adapting to life in the U.S. “Local nonprofit refugee resettlement agencies welcome refugees when they arrive in the country, provide them with essential services during their first 30 to 90 days and link them to federally funded programs,” Peterson said. For instance, CCCS provides refugees with direct assistance to ensure they feel supported in their transition to living in Arizona and are prepared to succeed. The organization offers courses in health, housing, law, transportation and financial literacy to help participants acclimate to life. Refugees are also placed in programs to teach English or improve language skills.
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“While there is not a refugee resettlement agency in northern Arizona, Catholic Charities provides remote placement and support,” Peterson said. Similarly, LSSS has several programs to help with acclimating and adjusting to life in Arizona. When they are placed in new homes, refugees are introduced to volunteers called “first friends,” who provide the initial point of contact in new communities. “First friends” give support in the difficult processes of learning a different language and getting accustomed to a new place. “First friends” are selected out of the organization’s CoSponsor Team program. These teams consist of three to five volunteers who select activities to complete with refugees, such as connecting them with a food bank, helping them open a bank account or taking them to get vaccinations. Volunteers interested in creating a Co-Sponsor Team can do so through LSSS’s volunteer platform — Volunteer Match. LSSS CEO Connie Phillips said she views the program as a way to help refugees reach their ambitions, while also encouraging them to set and achieve goals. “Sometimes those goals are about the English language; sometimes they’re about getting a good job or learning a new skill,” Phillips said. “Each goal varies widely based on what the refugee wants to achieve.” Although
LSSS plans to settle evacuees in Phoenix and Tucson, students in Flagstaff still have the chance to be first friends as virtual volunteers. The organization also has remote volunteer opportunities in its mentoring program, which allows refugees to seek further advice about living in the U.S. With training programs for employment, safety, transit orientation and computer skills, LSSS has organized several different resources to enhance refugees’ success. These programs offer more opportunities for students interested in helping evacuees feel comfortable in Arizona. Visit these links to volunteer for LSSS or CCCS.
Illustration By Tonesha Yazzie