Quarterly Update from MO-ORA

Per usual, so much has happened since our last update!

Phase One of Operation Allies Welcome is complete! By the end of February, about 73,000 people had been resettled across the country in 6 months. Local resettlement agencies in Missouri resettled 1,750 Afghan Humanitarian Parolees, about 2.3% of all the folks who were housed on military bases in the U.S. Truly amazing what they accomplished in such a short amount of time!

Still, there’s always more to do. The next step for most new Afghan arrivals who arrived during Phase One will be adjusting their immigration status. About 36,000 Afghan evacuees resettled in the U.S. entered under humanitarian parole. While they have since been granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS), they still lack a pathway to permanent legal status.

Phase Two will be happening before we know it, though. An additional 3,500-5,000 Afghans will be arriving from overseas Safe Haven locations and processed in Virginia before being resettled across the U.S.

While the agencies were finishing up resettling Afghans, another humanitarian crisis unfolded at the end of February as Russia began to invade Ukraine. Since then, the UN estimates more than 10 million people have fled their homes. People across Missouri have shown their support for Ukraine—see here, here and here—and resettlement agencies are ready to support Ukrainian arrivals should they become eligible for resettlement in Missouri.

At the federal level, TPS was granted to Ukrainians in the U.S. prior to March 1. And on March 24, the Biden administration announced that it intends for the U.S. to welcome up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees and will provide $1 billion in humanitarian assistance for those displaced by the Russian invasion.

At this point, there are still many unknowns—when people might arrive, how many may enter through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) and how many will receive parole or enter with family-based or other visas—but we'll continue to follow the situation closely.

In the meantime, there are always new neighbors to welcome! In addition to Afghan Placement and Assistance (APA) clients, MO resettlement agencies had also resettled 139 other refugees and SIVs from the start of October to the end of January.

Stay tuned in to the latest news by following our News page and Blog in between newsletters.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

IISTL started their Afghan Soccer Saturdays! Each week, kids who are temporarily housed in hotels are transported to Fútbol Club STL where they can run around, build community, and celebrate the love of the game.

Visit our blog

A TRIP TO AFGHANISTAN IN AUGUST 2021

August 2021 was harrowing for thousands of people in Afghanistan. As the Taliban began their takeover, many people in the U.S. watched in horror and worried about loved ones who were still there.

MO-ORA’s IT Coordinator, Mohammad Tamim Afghanzada, found himself in that very situation. His wife, Wahida, and their daughter had traveled to Afghanistan days before the Taliban’s takeover.

Tamim, Wahida, and their daughter on vacation in Chicago in 2021.

RESOURCES: Read, Watch, Explore

On Ukraine: Our compilation of resources on how to support Ukrainian refugees and CNN’s FAQ. Also, two Harvard students created a website where people can offer their homes to shelter Ukrainian refugees.

On Afghanistan: This explainer from the International Rescue Committee (IRC) that addresses what’s next for Afghan refugees in the U.S.

To watch: Take Out with Lisa Ling where she explores different Asian cuisines across America. And videos from members of the Refugee Storytellers Collective that spotlight the power of Black refugees and their communities.

To explore: The National Immigration Forum’s interactive map documenting stories of Americans welcoming newly arrived Afghans to communities across the country. Plus, this breakdown of what Missouri’s immigrant population looked like in 1900.

To listen: This Only in America podcast episode that discusses the intersection of Blackness and immigration.

To read: This piece from NPR analyzing how countries have received refugees fleeing the Middle East, Africa, and Ukraine. Plus this poem by Ukrainian poet Halyna Kruk.

OPPORTUNITIES: Get involved

JVS’ annual Global Table To Go fundraiser is coming up in May! They’re also looking for area rugs for new clients’ homes, and many families are also welcoming newborns and need supplies. Check out JVS’ Amazon wish list here.

Della Lamb has co-sponsorship and volunteer opportunities available. They also host a Refugees Welcome zoom call the last Wednesday of every month where people can learn more about the resettlement process.

CCCNMO also has community sponsorship opportunities available! And they're looking for volunteers to help out at the front desk and with housing and donations.

RAISE in Southwest Missouri is looking for childcare volunteers.

IISMO is hiring a School Support Specialist and Housing Support Specialist in Springfield.

IISTL is hiring a Social Media Coordinator and Graphic Designer as well as a Housing Support Specialist. Check out other openings here. They also have ongoing and episodic volunteer opportunities!

Mark your calendars: World Refugee Day is June 20!

ONE LAST THING: We're movin' and shakin'

The MO-ORA office is currently located in the International Institute in St. Louis... but not for much longer. We've scoped out a spot downtown and will be moving to our new office at the beginning of April!

We also added a new person to our team in February! Lyndsey Brainerd (brainerdl@iistl.org) is our new Missouri Resource Coordinator, and she's based in Kansas City, creating relationships and uncovering additional contacts and resources for all the resettlement agencies across the state.

Don't forget: Follow @MORefugeeOffice on Twitter and Facebook for more frequent updates between newsletters.

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