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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 the 4,500+ Afghan Allies throughout Maryland and Virginia, the largest number of on the East Coast since Summer 2021. In comparison, LSSNCA’s previous highest resettlement was 1,625 individuals from around the world, over an entire year in Fiscal Year 2017.

LSSNCA has resettled 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 resettled through the SIV program

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. 

  • Afghan Allies Welcomed Since July 2021

    4,600 +

  • Resettlement Clients Who Participated in Pro Se Asylum Workshops (each represents a family of four, on average)

    415+

How to Help

Needs change over time. 

Our top needs include employment connections, permanent housing, critical care donations, and goods donations like gift cards, SIM cards and cell phones. Other items are available on our Amazon Wishlist.

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

Join VetPartners

Are you active duty, a veteran or frontline civilian? Join our VetPartners program! 

The 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.

Our VetPartners

#AfghanEvac                             

Evacuate our Allies                   

No One Left Behind           

PenFed Foundation

ReactDC

Team Rubicon

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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