What is ICDI doing to help the Afghan Newcomers?

Refugee vs. Humanitarian Parole: About 70% of those coming from Afghanistan are not coming in under refugee status. They are entering under Humanitarian Parole. Those entering as Humanitarian Parolees do not currently have the benefits of those coming in as refugees. Refugees receive a Green Card immediately and therefore have access to federal benefits such as healthcare and food stamps. They also have work authorization immediately. They receive three months income from the government to help them get started. The Humanitarian Parolees receive none of those benefits. Illinois is trying to arrange for those that come to Illinois to have healthcare benefits. All the other benefits would require action on the federal level. For them to progress through the immigration process they will need to apply for asylum.

ICDI Housing: We have many years of experience caring for asylum seekers. Ryan Smith, Director of Housing, has been instructing not-for-profit organizations around the country about the needs of asylum seekers and possible housing arrangements that could be set up to receive them. Several staff members are currently working with the Chicago Task Force set up to receive Afghan Newcomers, including care for unaccompanied children and housing for adults and families. It is predicted that Chicago and Illinois will receive 880 Afghan Newcomers. That number could go up to 3,000. There is work being done in Washington DC to approve federal funding to help receive these people.

ICDI Migrant Children’s Visitation Program: We have been caring for the spiritual needs of unaccompanied minors from around the world for eight years. There are currently Afghan children in the Heartland Alliance centers where ICDI offers that care. These highly traumatized children need clinical psychological care and spiritual care from adults trained in trauma informed caregiving and with the cultural sensitivity to Afghan culture. In collaboration with others, cultural trainings are being offered for staff and volunteers. ICDI is working with the Chicago School of Professional Psychology to bring trained people as Clinical psychological care resources to the Heartland staff.

Additional financial resources will be required to offer essential services to the Afghan newcomers. Mark your gift “Afghan” and it will go directly into service.