HIAS Update on Worsening Situation in Afghanistan

HIAS is closely following the heartbreaking situation that is unfolding in Afghanistan. Unfortunately, the current reality is that options for resettlement for Afghans right now are limited beyond the Special Immigrant Visa program. We are advocating to change that, and we are also working directly with newly arriving Afghan SIVs and their families in the United States.

In the meantime, for questions regarding Afghan refugees and those who are still in Afghanistan and in need of protection, we draw your attention to the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP). Their updated resources include information about access for Afghans to the U.S. refugee resettlement program. IRAP also just relaunched their refugee self-help website: iraplegalinfo.org available in English, Arabic, Farsi, Pashto, and Spanish. 

In addition, IRAP offers chatbots which offer information through Facebook Messenger and Telegram. To talk to the chatbot, add @irapchatbot on Telegram or message them on Facebook. Then, type “hello” as your first message. The chatbot will respond to you and ask you a series of questions about your situation. If you are using Telegram, click the window button next to the text box to view which options are available to respond to a message. These options automatically appear on Facebook. 

HIAS will provide regular updates on this situation as they become available.