TAKE ACTION NOW!
For Afghan refugees and others, the need is great right now. In addition to your support for JCIRA, you can help with urgent needs by adding your name to petitions or by volunteering and donating to other charitable organizations.
IT'S TIME TO HELP ALL REFUGEES!
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The response to Ukranian refugees around the world has been heartening. Here in the U.S., President Biden has announced we will accept 100,000 Ukranian refugees and will offer $1 billion in humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. This is how all refugees should be treated, regardless of country of origin or skin color. Yet last month, over 165,000 people seeking safety were denied protection at the southern U.S. border--the majority of whom are Black and brown. Join with Amnesty International to ask President Biden to give the same opportunity to all who are seeking refuge in our country. Send a message now.
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HELP AN AFGHAN REFUGEE FAMILY IN OUR COMMUNITY
Read the story by a person who is assisting them. You can help by sending a check to JCIRA with "Afghan Circle" in the memo line. (See below.)
A young Afghan refugee couple and their toddler daughter arrived in Port Townsend at about 1:30 a.m. on Friday, February 11, after a long, grueling flight from New Jersey and a chaotic airport arrival. They were exhausted. Now that they have been here a few days they have recovered from that ordeal and are beginning to adapt to their new home.
The mom and dad are friendly, pleasant, and grateful for the opportunity to begin a new life in this country. The little girl is a beautiful and lively two-and-a-half-year-old.
The dad has some English. Communication can be somewhat difficult but, with a bit of effort, we are able to understand each other. The mother also has some English but less than her husband. Meanwhile, the little girl chatters and sings and makes lots of noises, but not in English.
The dad is anxious to be able to work, while the mom plans to complete her education. Both say they will work hard to improve their English.
Thanks to the generosity of a number of people, their apartment is furnished and mostly equipped. As of this writing there are a few items still needed, but by the time you read this, those needs should be satisfied. Food basics have been supplied, and the family has been shopping to get the kinds of foods they need and prefer. The family follows a “halal” diet so many food products and common dishes are forbidden to them. We are making arrangements to ensure that they have the acceptable foods.
With time we will learn more about our new friends, and we will share that knowledge with JCIRA members and eventually with the community. For now it is important to respect their privacy and to give them time to become comfortable in their new home in a new culture.
If you are moved to help this family, the best way right now is to contribute monetarily. Checks can be made out to JCIRA with Afghan Circle in the memo line and mailed to:
Jefferson County Immigrant Rights Advocates
P.O. Box 647
Port Townsend, WA 98368
Also see this article on the family and JCIRA's assistance to them in the Peninsula Daily News. (If you can't read the article because you're not a subscriber, try deleting your browser history and returning to the site.)
A young Afghan refugee couple and their toddler daughter arrived in Port Townsend at about 1:30 a.m. on Friday, February 11, after a long, grueling flight from New Jersey and a chaotic airport arrival. They were exhausted. Now that they have been here a few days they have recovered from that ordeal and are beginning to adapt to their new home.
The mom and dad are friendly, pleasant, and grateful for the opportunity to begin a new life in this country. The little girl is a beautiful and lively two-and-a-half-year-old.
The dad has some English. Communication can be somewhat difficult but, with a bit of effort, we are able to understand each other. The mother also has some English but less than her husband. Meanwhile, the little girl chatters and sings and makes lots of noises, but not in English.
The dad is anxious to be able to work, while the mom plans to complete her education. Both say they will work hard to improve their English.
Thanks to the generosity of a number of people, their apartment is furnished and mostly equipped. As of this writing there are a few items still needed, but by the time you read this, those needs should be satisfied. Food basics have been supplied, and the family has been shopping to get the kinds of foods they need and prefer. The family follows a “halal” diet so many food products and common dishes are forbidden to them. We are making arrangements to ensure that they have the acceptable foods.
With time we will learn more about our new friends, and we will share that knowledge with JCIRA members and eventually with the community. For now it is important to respect their privacy and to give them time to become comfortable in their new home in a new culture.
If you are moved to help this family, the best way right now is to contribute monetarily. Checks can be made out to JCIRA with Afghan Circle in the memo line and mailed to:
Jefferson County Immigrant Rights Advocates
P.O. Box 647
Port Townsend, WA 98368
Also see this article on the family and JCIRA's assistance to them in the Peninsula Daily News. (If you can't read the article because you're not a subscriber, try deleting your browser history and returning to the site.)
ASK OUR OFFICIALS TO SUPPORT THE AFGHAN ADJUSTMENT ACT.
(JCIRA has joined with many organizations to support the Afghan Adjustment Act and to offer other aid to the more than 70,000 Afghan refugees who were evacuated to the U.S. from Afghanistan last August. These people were employed by the U.S. as interpreters, translators, cultural advisors, drivers, and other staff. We need to support them now.
Most of the Afghans evacuated to the U.S. were allowed to enter under "humanitarian parole," a temporary legal status which does not provide an automatic pathway to permanent status. An Afghan Adjustment Act would allow these Afghans to become legal permanent residents, like other refugees. Under the Afghan Adjustment Act, Afghans would not have to apply for asylum – an extremely complicated process requiring legal help – and wait for years to have their cases heard. It would also allow them to more easily reunite with their families, and provide certainty after so much trauma and instability.
Contact your U.S. Senators and Representative to show support for the Afghan Adjustment Act (see below), and learn what else you can do to help on the HIAS site.
Most of the Afghans evacuated to the U.S. were allowed to enter under "humanitarian parole," a temporary legal status which does not provide an automatic pathway to permanent status. An Afghan Adjustment Act would allow these Afghans to become legal permanent residents, like other refugees. Under the Afghan Adjustment Act, Afghans would not have to apply for asylum – an extremely complicated process requiring legal help – and wait for years to have their cases heard. It would also allow them to more easily reunite with their families, and provide certainty after so much trauma and instability.
Contact your U.S. Senators and Representative to show support for the Afghan Adjustment Act (see below), and learn what else you can do to help on the HIAS site.
ADVOCATE
Ask Derek Kilmer to support the Afghan Adjustment Act
Congress needs to act today to pass this act to give Afghans who arrived in the U.S. with humanitarian parole to apply for legal permanent residence with the same legal status as refugees. They would then be able to more easily reunite with their families and avoid lengthy legal proceedings. Urge Congressman Derek Kilmer to support this act now.
Sign this MoveOn petition that asks the Biden Administration to help the most vulnerable and lift refugee caps.
Send a message through Vets for American Ideals to elected officials asking that they fulfill promises and live up to our values.
Tweet to continue the fight against private prisons!Find out how you can tell the Biden Administration to end private prisons and private detention facilities now.
See many ways to help refugees and asylum seekers on this HIAS site.
Congress needs to act today to pass this act to give Afghans who arrived in the U.S. with humanitarian parole to apply for legal permanent residence with the same legal status as refugees. They would then be able to more easily reunite with their families and avoid lengthy legal proceedings. Urge Congressman Derek Kilmer to support this act now.
Sign this MoveOn petition that asks the Biden Administration to help the most vulnerable and lift refugee caps.
Send a message through Vets for American Ideals to elected officials asking that they fulfill promises and live up to our values.
Tweet to continue the fight against private prisons!Find out how you can tell the Biden Administration to end private prisons and private detention facilities now.
See many ways to help refugees and asylum seekers on this HIAS site.
volunteer and donate
World Relief
A Christian humanitarian organization, World Relief partners with 6,000 churches and 95,000 local volunteers to provide help throughout the world.
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service and the Refugee and Immigrant Services of Lutheran Community Services Northwest
These Lutheran charities help refugees, immigrants, and asylum seekers rebuild their lives in their new country by providing skills, resources, and support.
International Rescue Committee (IRC)
This organization provides relief to children who are facing hunger. Millions of Afghans could run out of food this winter, and the IRC is committed to stay there and help.
A Christian humanitarian organization, World Relief partners with 6,000 churches and 95,000 local volunteers to provide help throughout the world.
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service and the Refugee and Immigrant Services of Lutheran Community Services Northwest
These Lutheran charities help refugees, immigrants, and asylum seekers rebuild their lives in their new country by providing skills, resources, and support.
International Rescue Committee (IRC)
This organization provides relief to children who are facing hunger. Millions of Afghans could run out of food this winter, and the IRC is committed to stay there and help.
Photo credit: Banner photo of Jefferson County Immigrant Rights Advocates sign by JCIRA.
Jefferson County Immigrant Rights Advocates
P.O. Box 647
Port Townsend, WA 98368
JCIRAwa@gmail.com
360-232-6070
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P.O. Box 647
Port Townsend, WA 98368
JCIRAwa@gmail.com
360-232-6070
Donate
Newsletter
Find us on Facebook
