![]() They add that as the Afghanistan situation has evolved the number of SIV holders has dramatically increased with about 35 SIV-holders resettled in Alexandria City sent from Fort Lee in August. Catholic Charities says they have welcomed 2,600 special immigrant visa holders to northern Virginia in the last six years and resettled 326, most from Afghanistan, this year. tie) as well as the area’s ability to provide services. location based on having a relative or friend nearby (a U.S. The State Department assigns refugees to their U.S. bases for vetting and filling out documents and then assigned to their location. In the current situation, a step has been added for the refugees, who are flown to one of several U.S. The current situation has some legal and procedural differences from what the staff are accustomed to and information often comes last minute so it can feel overwhelming.” “In the current emergency circumstances, instead of getting at least two weeks' notice so we can prepare for their arrival, things have been changing very rapidly with sometimes a day or two turnaround time,” Estrada says.Įmily Gilkenson, Ethiopian Community Development Council Community Engagement and Communications Officer, adds, “The situation is rapidly changing and evolving. Catholic Charities is one of three resettlement agencies in Northern Virginia along with Lutheran Services and Ethiopian Community Development Council (ECDC), which have been designated by the State Department to receive and place the newly arrived families. “Traditionally we are able to welcome the refugees at the airport, provide a culturally appropriate meal, toys for the kids and housing with furnishing which we have prearranged,” says Jessica Estrada, Director of Newcomer Services for Catholic Charities. ![]() In addition, the deadline for getting refugees out of Kabul has led to desperate efforts by individuals and organizations to assist with the identification of refugees, filling out the paperwork and other mechanics and to assist those in hiding left behind without adequate resources. ![]() The normally systematic process of resettling refugees has been turned on its head by the sudden influx of Afghan Special Immigrant Visa holders who have been evacuated in recent days. Thousands of Afghan refugees have landed at Dulles Airport in recent days. Daniel Mekibib, Director of the Alexandria Workforce Center. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |