TAKE ACTION NOW!

For refugees, the need is great right now. You can provide critical support in many ways, including directly through JCIRA by helping a refugee Afghan family in our community and by supporting the Afghan Adjustment Act.

HELP AN AFGHAN REFUGEE FAMILY IN OUR COMMUNITY and
support the afghan adjustment act

​
Read this story about an Afghan refugee family in our community. Then help by sending a check to JCIRA with "Afghan Circle" in the memo line. 

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.)
​

---

Contact your elected representatives today and ask them to support the Afghan Adjustment Act.

The U.S. House and Senate have just introduced the Afghan Adjustment Act, a bill that would give tens of thousands of Afghan alliles already in the U.S. a clear pathway to permanent residence.

Afghan refugees and our allies have been living in limbo for nearly a year. Although they have been able to temporarily live in the U.S. through humanitarian parole and/or Temporary Protected Status, they lack a real path to permanent legal status and face uncertain futures here, in spite of their great personal sacrifices.

Keep up the pressure! Make sure Afghan allies, evacuees, and their families get the permanancy and they deserve!

Here's how to help:

Contact Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and Representative Derek Kilmer and ask they to pass the Afghan Adjustment Act. Please do it today!

​

​

IT'S TIME TO HELP ALL REFUGEES!​

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.

---

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.
​

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
Donate                                  
Newsletter
 
Find us on Facebook