How you can welcome refugees in Idaho

Many Idahoans moved by compassion by what's happening in Afghanistan have reached out seeking ways to help. We  are deeply grateful!

Here are some ideas on how you can be involved in refugee resettlement in Idaho. (Those seeking resources for evacuating and relocating can find details here.)

​1. VOLUNTEER
​If you would like to volunteer, be a mentor, rent out housing or provide transportation to refugees, we invite you to fill out our Volunteer Form so we know how to reach you and how you would like to be involved. ​Your answers will only be seen by the Idaho Office for Refugees and our partners at the three resettlement agencies in Idaho.

Volunteer Form

 2. DONATE & SUPPORT
Idaho's three resettlement agencies are:

• International Rescue Committee, Boise
  • Click here to donate to IRC's Afghanistan response: ​help.rescue.org/donate/afghanistan
• Agency for New Americans, Boise
  • Donate and learn more at anaidaho.org 
  • Donations of hygiene and household items are also needed to support new arrivals. Find details here.
  • For more ideas on what's most needed, please check out this Agency for New Americans wishlist on Amazon.
• College of Southern Idaho Refugee Programs, Twin Falls
  • ​Learn more at refugeecenter.csi.edu

The Idaho Office for Refugees partners with these agencies and administers refugee assistance and services statewide, including English classes and cultural orientation, farming assistance, peer support and career mentorship.

• Click here to donate to these efforts.​
• Click here to learn about our programs, including the English Language Center, Global Gardens, Refugee Speakers Bureau, Global Talent, and the Idaho Community Advisor Network. 

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Beyond donations, expressing your compassion and support for welcoming people who are fleeing violence does make a difference on social media and in your circles.

3. ATTEND AN EVENT 
Make new friends and learn from other cultural perspectives at one of the many community events hosted by former refugees and/or the resettlement community. From virtual cooking classes to dance performances to evenings of storytelling, there are so many fun ways to get connected. Follow along with our Community Calendar and keep in touch by subscribing to our newsletter.

4. CONTACT ELECTED OFFICIALS
Idaho's resettlement agencies are engaging with our congressional delegation to provide information on how the situation in Afghanistan is affecting Idahoans and their family members. Key areas of focus are advocating for women's rights and pushing for improved processing of SIVs (Special Immigrant Visa) and P-2 Visas for vulnerable Afghans.

Click on the following links to email elected officials: 

• White House
  • Here's a helpful template from the International Rescue Committee
• Sen. Jim Risch of Idaho, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
• Sen. Mike Crapo
• Rep. Mike Simpson
• Rep. Russ Fulcher

Gov. Brad Little has strongly encouraged the Biden Administration "to take all available measures to ensure the protection of American personnel and our Afghan allies that stood by our nation’s side for nearly two decades."

And Boise Mayor Lauren McLean recently reaffirmed her commitment to supporting refugee resettlement by joining fellow elected officials from around the country in signing onto a letter to President Biden asking to restore the resettlement program in full. The full letter can be found at welcomingrefugees2022.org.

5. LISTEN AND LEARN
To better understand the experiences and perspectives of fellow Idahoans who have firsthand ties to Afghanistan, please check out the following local news reports. You can also receive regular updates about Idaho's refugee community and resettlement efforts by subscribing to the Idaho Office for Refugees newsletter. 

​LISTEN:

• From Kabul To Boise With A Broken Heart: A Refugee’s View Of The Current Crisis In Afghanistan Boise State Public Radio News, 8/17/21
• Radio Boise “Vital Idaho” host Beth Markley interviews Yasmin Aguilar of the Agency for New Americans. Aired 8/26/21 
• Treasure Valley Organizations Are Working To Reunite Afghan Refugee Families. Boise State Public Radio News, 8/28/21

READ:

• ‘Shameful,’ ‘not safe,’ ‘a nightmare’: Afghans in Idaho shaken as Taliban fill U.S. void. Idaho Statesman, 8/22/21
• ‘I feel so helpless’: Boise woman pleads for help evacuating family from Afghanistan. Idaho Capital Sun, 8/26/21 
• Afghan natives in Treasure Valley react to fall of Kabul. Idaho Press, 8/16/21 
• Afghan interpreter tells East Idaho News the Taliban will kill him if he can’t leave the country. East Idaho News, 8/17/21 
• Local reporter reflects on scramble to get friend out of Afghanistan. Idaho Press, 8/27/21
  • Related coverage: Journalist Reflects On His Time Reporting From Afghanistan. Boise State Public Radio, 8/17/21
  • UPDATE: Family makes it safely out of Afghanistan to the U.S. -Post Industrial, 9/2/21
• Idaho to welcome around 400 Afghan refugees. Idaho Press, 9/14/21
• ‘I’m lucky I’m not there’: Afghan bomb expert safe in Boise, among first wave of refugees. Idaho Statesman, 9/20/21

WATCH:

• International Rescue Committee in Boise works to help those fleeing Afghanistan. KTVB, 8/16/21  
• Idaho professor explains complexities of Taliban takeover in Afghanistan. KLEW News, 8/16/21 

• Idaho's Congressional delegation responds to the fall of the Afghanistan government. KTVB, 8/16/21 
• Afghan refugees in Boise struggle through U.S. withdraw. CBS 2,  8/16/21 
• Many Idahoans who served in Afghanistan never came home. KTVB,  8/16/21 
• Afghan-American living in Meridian: 'I will never believe Taliban's promises' - CBS 2, 8/18/21 
• Afghan refugee worries about the future of women in Afghanistan. KIVI, 8/27/21 ​
• 400 Afghan refugees to be resettled in Idaho. KIVI, 9/14/21www.kivitv.com/news/400-afghan-refugees-to-be-resettled-in-idaho

NATIONAL NEWS ​UPDATES

Click here for a helpful explainer from the National Immigration Forum about SIVs (Special Immigrant Visas), Priority-2 refugee status and Humanitarian Parole.