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Refugee and Immigrant Services

Welcome Afghan Allies

Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSSNCA) has provided resettlement services to more than 6,500 Afghan Allies throughout Maryland and Virginia, the largest number of on the East Coast since Summer 2021.

We have a long history supporting Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders in the Washington D.C. metro area since the creation of the SIV program in 2008. Prior to Summer 2021, 94 - 98% of LSSNCA's program participants were SIV holders. 

In August 2021 there was a hurried evacuation from Afghanistan. In addition to those with the SIV stamp in their passport, many other thousands were granted humanitarian parole status. This new program, the Afghan Placement and Assistance Program (APA), was established to quicken the evacuation of Afghan nationals. Humanitarian parole status does not offer permanent legal residency in the U.S., but the U.S. government did extend the status to last up to two years. LSSNCA continues to fight alongside the community for the passage of the bipartisan Afghan Adjustment Act. 

  • Program Participants Assisted with Adjustments of Status (FY23)

    980

  • Program Participants Assisted with Re-Parole (FY23)

    76

  • Principal Applicants Assisted to Apply for Asylum and Withholding of Removal (FY23)

    241

How can you still help Afghan Allies?

Our top needs include employment connections, permanent housing, and Uber and Lyft gift cards. 

Keep fighting for a legal pathway to citizenship for Afghan Allies with parole status - encourage your Congress members to support an Afghan Adjustment Act. 

Join VetPartners

Are you in the military, veteran or frontline civilian community? Join our VetPartners program! 

Our VetPartners program is dedicated to the military, veteran, frontline civilian communities and allies. Many of our staff are former SIV holders, veterans, frontline civilians and former refugees. Some of their families were recently evacuated, while others still have family in Afghanistan. It’s been a long journey, but it’s not over even after they have safely resettled. LSSNCA continues alongside Afghan Allies beyond their initial first few days in the United States, and we welcome you to join for the long term as well.

VetPartner organizations and coalitions inlcude #AfghanEvac, Evacuate Our Allies, No One Left Behind, PenFed Foundation, Team Rubicon, and White Oak Collaborative.

Subscribe to our newsletter for up-to-date details on the evolving situation and how to stay involved. If you have Afghan Allies questions not answered here, email afghanallies@lssnca.org.

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