Following the fall of the Afghan government in 2021, Idaho has welcomed many families and military allies whose lives were at risk under Taliban rule. On this page you will find resources for Afghan refugees and for other community members who would like to lend a hand.
IDAHO RESOURCES & INVOLVEMENT
COMMUNITY:
Information session for APA (Afghan Placement & Assistance) clients: 5-7 p.m. November 16 at the English Language Center
The Idaho Office for Refugees has opened a new Afghan Cultural Center of Idaho in Boise. Please contact Nawid Mousa to get connected.
Islamic Center of Boise helps newly arrived families with household essentials, school supplies, utility payments and hosts monthly dinners to bring families together.
The English Language Center provides language training and cultural orientation to all new refugee arrivals in Boise.
Glocal Community Partners in Boise organizes social events, accepts donated items and teaches English.
City of Good partners with Boise restaurants to provide meals to families in temporary housing.
Bridges is a community group of volunteers that supports refugees in Southwest Idaho.
Global Talent in Boise works with refugees and immigrants who have college degrees and are working to get back on their career path in Idaho.
IMMIGRATION ASSISTANCE:
Many Afghan arrivals were granted only temporary status through humanitarian parole. The Afghan Adjustment Act has been proposed as a long-term solution. In the mean time, the Idaho Office for Refugees is contracting with immigration attorneys to provide free expert guidance to arrivals in the Afghan Placement & Assistance Program who are applying for permanent legal status. If you are an APA client, please find guidance here in English, Dari ( دری) and Pashto (پښتو).
Visit the Afghan Response Project web page for updates and resources from Immigrant Justice Idaho.
RESETTLEMENT AGENCIES: For other inquiries, please reach out to your resettlement agency.
CULTURAL RESOURCES: Community partners and sponsors can find great cultural resources through CORE's Cultural Orientation Toolkit and from the National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants about welcoming new community members from Afghanistan.
NATIONAL RESOURCES
OFFICE OF REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT: Fact Sheet on Afghan Assistance Resources
RE-PAROLE: In May 2023, the Department of Homeland Security announced that Afghans who resettled in the U.S. through Operation Allies Welcome would be eligible to renew their humanitarian parole. More details here.
Afghan humanitarian parolees who entered the U.S. between July 31, 2021, and September 30, 2023, are eligible for Office of Refugee Resettlement benefits and services. Certain relatives of eligible Afghan parolees are also eligible for ORR benefits and services if paroled into the U.S. after September 30, 2023.
FAMILY REUNIFICIATION: Family Reunification for Afghans web page - U.S. State Department
SETTLE IN: For information about getting settled in your new community, download the Settle In app or follow the Settle In Facebook page. Settle In is a non-governmental organization created to provide reliable information to Afghans resettling in the United States.
AFGHANISTAN INQUIRIES: Resources from the U.S. Department of State
HEALTH: Here is a curated selection of resources for Afghans and providers from the National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants
SIV PROGRAM: Special Immigrant Visas are available to individuals who have worked as translators, interpreters, or other professionals employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government in Afghanistan. SIV holders receive the same benefits and services as do refugees under the U.S. Refugee Assistance Program. Find more information about eligibility and application requirements here.
PRIORITY VISAS: Priority 2 (P2) visas are for Afghans who may be at risk due to their U.S. affiliation but who do not qualify for a Special Immigrant Visa. These folks may have been employed by U.S. NGOs, media organizations, human rights groups, or subcontractors of the U.S. government.
Priority 3 (P3) status (or ‘family reunification’ status) is given to spouses, unmarried children under age 21, or parents of individuals already admitted to the United States as refugees or asylees. P3 application processes must be completed outside the country of origin.
Find more information about P2 and P3 eligibility and application forms here.
For additional questions related to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, contact USRAPAfghanInquiries@state.gov.
If you are a P2 applicant and in immediate danger, call the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Protection Line at (+93) 079 069 1746 or (+93) 070 499 6168 or email afgkaprt@unhcr.org.
HUMANITARIAN PAROLE: You may apply for humanitarian parole if you have a compelling emergency and there is an urgent humanitarian reason or significant public benefit to allowing you to temporarily enter the United States. Find application details here from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
IDAHO RESOURCES & INVOLVEMENT
COMMUNITY:
Information session for APA (Afghan Placement & Assistance) clients: 5-7 p.m. November 16 at the English Language Center
The Idaho Office for Refugees has opened a new Afghan Cultural Center of Idaho in Boise. Please contact Nawid Mousa to get connected.
Islamic Center of Boise helps newly arrived families with household essentials, school supplies, utility payments and hosts monthly dinners to bring families together.
The English Language Center provides language training and cultural orientation to all new refugee arrivals in Boise.
Glocal Community Partners in Boise organizes social events, accepts donated items and teaches English.
City of Good partners with Boise restaurants to provide meals to families in temporary housing.
Bridges is a community group of volunteers that supports refugees in Southwest Idaho.
Global Talent in Boise works with refugees and immigrants who have college degrees and are working to get back on their career path in Idaho.
IMMIGRATION ASSISTANCE:
Many Afghan arrivals were granted only temporary status through humanitarian parole. The Afghan Adjustment Act has been proposed as a long-term solution. In the mean time, the Idaho Office for Refugees is contracting with immigration attorneys to provide free expert guidance to arrivals in the Afghan Placement & Assistance Program who are applying for permanent legal status. If you are an APA client, please find guidance here in English, Dari ( دری) and Pashto (پښتو).
Visit the Afghan Response Project web page for updates and resources from Immigrant Justice Idaho.
RESETTLEMENT AGENCIES: For other inquiries, please reach out to your resettlement agency.
CULTURAL RESOURCES: Community partners and sponsors can find great cultural resources through CORE's Cultural Orientation Toolkit and from the National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants about welcoming new community members from Afghanistan.
NATIONAL RESOURCES
OFFICE OF REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT: Fact Sheet on Afghan Assistance Resources
RE-PAROLE: In May 2023, the Department of Homeland Security announced that Afghans who resettled in the U.S. through Operation Allies Welcome would be eligible to renew their humanitarian parole. More details here.
Afghan humanitarian parolees who entered the U.S. between July 31, 2021, and September 30, 2023, are eligible for Office of Refugee Resettlement benefits and services. Certain relatives of eligible Afghan parolees are also eligible for ORR benefits and services if paroled into the U.S. after September 30, 2023.
FAMILY REUNIFICIATION: Family Reunification for Afghans web page - U.S. State Department
SETTLE IN: For information about getting settled in your new community, download the Settle In app or follow the Settle In Facebook page. Settle In is a non-governmental organization created to provide reliable information to Afghans resettling in the United States.
AFGHANISTAN INQUIRIES: Resources from the U.S. Department of State
HEALTH: Here is a curated selection of resources for Afghans and providers from the National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants
SIV PROGRAM: Special Immigrant Visas are available to individuals who have worked as translators, interpreters, or other professionals employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government in Afghanistan. SIV holders receive the same benefits and services as do refugees under the U.S. Refugee Assistance Program. Find more information about eligibility and application requirements here.
PRIORITY VISAS: Priority 2 (P2) visas are for Afghans who may be at risk due to their U.S. affiliation but who do not qualify for a Special Immigrant Visa. These folks may have been employed by U.S. NGOs, media organizations, human rights groups, or subcontractors of the U.S. government.
Priority 3 (P3) status (or ‘family reunification’ status) is given to spouses, unmarried children under age 21, or parents of individuals already admitted to the United States as refugees or asylees. P3 application processes must be completed outside the country of origin.
Find more information about P2 and P3 eligibility and application forms here.
For additional questions related to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, contact USRAPAfghanInquiries@state.gov.
If you are a P2 applicant and in immediate danger, call the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Protection Line at (+93) 079 069 1746 or (+93) 070 499 6168 or email afgkaprt@unhcr.org.
HUMANITARIAN PAROLE: You may apply for humanitarian parole if you have a compelling emergency and there is an urgent humanitarian reason or significant public benefit to allowing you to temporarily enter the United States. Find application details here from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
- Factsheet: Benefits for Afghan Humanitarian Parolees
