Northwoods UU Issues Resource Links: IMMIGRATION / DACA / REFUGEES

AFGHAN REFUGEES

Explainer: What We Can Learn from Prior Adjustment Acts and What They Mean for Afghan Resettlement (National Immigration Forum, Nov. 10, 2021)
Thousands of Afghan refugees are coming to Houston. This is the largest influx of refugees at one time since the Vietnamese refugees came in 1975.

Details are evolving with the Houston Afghan Resettlement Fund

See also How to Support Afghan Refugees Coming to Houston (Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative)

Afghans in Houston are being temporarily housed in motels after months-long stay on military bases
by Elizabeth Trovall and Anna Bauman, Houston Chronicle Staff writers | Jan. 29, 2022 Updated: Jan. 29, 2022 8:58 a.m. |

LANGUAGES
Afghanistan is a multilingual country in which two languages – Pashto and Dari – are both official and most widely spoken. (Wikipedia)
NOTE: "Although still widely known as Farsi (Persian) to its native speakers, the name was officially changed to Dari in 1964 by the Afghan government."
STATUS
1)Some of the Afghan refugees are SIV [Special Issue Visa holders], which means that these people assisted the U.S. military, frequently as interpreters.
2)Others of the Afghan refugees are here on "Humanitarian Parole". (Note: Parolees tend to not already know how to speak English. On the other hand, these people might already know multiple languages, just not English.)
These people are displaced from their homes, as opposed to economic migrants (who left seeking to improve their lives, not because they were forced to leave).
DIFFICULTIES FACED
1) Rumors regarding services that will be available to them
2) Losing your profession. [May be doctor in old country, orderly/hospital attendant in new country, for example.]
3) Fear of authority [their government had let them down....]
GENDER SEPARATION
Men volunteers deal with the men. Women volunteers deal with the women. Etc.
UU Churches of Greater Houston Announces the formation of the UU Afghan Refugee Support Team
  • In the next several weeks hundreds of Afghan Refugees will be arriving in Houston. The UU churches, along with Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston will be sponsoring families to help them assimilate into their new home.
    Family is here via humanitarian parole. Eligible for a green card after 1 year. May apply for U.S. citizenship after 5 years (must have learned enough English to past exam by then. Families are referred to     Bilingual Education Institute, on Richmond Ave. in Southwest Houston. Google Translate is good for basic help with words.). Client families need to learn to use public transportation [METRO].

    Interfaith Ministries case worker handles getting the kids in school, applying for SNAP (food stamps), helping find employment, etc. Interfaith provides cash assistance until food stamps start. After 6 to 8 months the goal is for the refugee to assume paying own bills. Interfaith Ministries provides a job developer after the first month to help get employed.

    Keep in mind privacy for the family. Do not take photos without asking for permission first. Interfaith Ministries has photo releases which can be signed.

    Greater Houston has five refugee agencies. Last year 632 Afghan families helped. This year 8,600 Afghan families have arrived.
    UU Partners:
  • Houston Area UU Network
  • Unitarian Universalist Association
    FOOD, CLOTHING, AND MONETARY DONATIONS
    Women prefer modest clothing: long sleeves, full-length skirt/dress. Winter clothing is needed at this time.
    Offer only halal meat. Dried fruit is welcome.
    Gift cards show respect and give the families choice regarding purchases.
    Target gift cards are preferred. [HINT: If you choose a generic image, you might get MAIL as well as EMAIL or MOBILE (text) Delivery options. You can mail the cards to our liaison Greg McDonell.]
    The plan is to take the family to Target and use gift cards as needs are identified.
    Community Partners:
  • Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston | One Thousand Neighbors, One Thousand Reasons |

    Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston – Refugee Services has quickly prepared to welcome 1,000 Afghan refugees by launching the One Thousand Neighbors One Thousand Reasons campaign to raise $1 million to help these families.

  • Texas UU Justice Ministry

    Houston Afghan Resettlement Fund (HARF)

    HARF members: Four Houston-based Refugee Agencies:
  • Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Houston-Galveston
  • Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston
  • YMCA of Greater Houston
  • The Alliance | Refugee Services |

    Haitian refugees coming to Houston: Houston Haitians United

  • Many Haitian Migrants Are Staying In The U.S. Even As Expulsion Flights Rise By The Associated Press [as seen/heard on NPR] | September 23, 2021 6:12 AM ET |

    REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT (in general)

    The Alliance
  • Contact Information:
    Alliance for Multicultural Community Services
    PH: 713-776-4700 EMAIL: info@TheAllianceTX.org
    Address: 6440 Hillcroft Ave., Suite 411, Houston, TX 77081
    Episcopal Migration Ministries
  • Contact Information:
    PH: 1-800-334-7626 EMAIL: emm@episcopalchurch.org NOTE: Please do not include any confidential or sensitive information in your email to this general EMM inbox.
    Refugee Services Wish List (Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston)
    Supporting Refugees & Immigrants (Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston)
  • Contact Information:
    Contact Us (Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston)
    Casa Juan Diego
  • Mission Statement
  • Immigrant/Refugee Shelters & Social Services Centers (including free medical care clinic)
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    Last Modified: 12/29/2022