Support Afghans Seeking Refuge

CGRS stands in solidarity with the Afghan people in the face of the escalating humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. We are calling on the Biden administration to swiftly bring Afghans to safety by extending emergency humanitarian parole and chartering direct evacuation flights for those under imminent threat. This page provides resources for Afghans in need of assistance and U.S.-based attorneys, advocates, and allies seeking to support them.

  • Read CGRS Director Karen Musalo’s Los Angeles Times op-ed, urging the Biden administration to use humanitarian parole to bring Afghans to safety
  • Read CGRS’s statement of solidarity, with members of the #WelcomeWithDignity campaign, and our call for evacuations to be extended past the arbitrary August 31 deadline
  • Review CGRS's Country Conditions Toolkit on the Taliban Takeover, which was developed to provide practitioners with resources related to conditions for women, children, journalists, academics, and activists in Afghanistan following the 2021 Taliban takeover. This resource is available through our Technical Assistance (TA) program, and can be accessed on-demand by filling out a case intake.  If you are interested in reviewing this country conditions toolkit for general research purposes, please complete this form.

For individuals in Afghanistan/Afghans seeking assistance

For Advocates and Attorneys

  • PARS Equality Center has created an Afghan Support Intake Form to request legal assistance for individuals in Afghanistan. Additionally, advocates interested in providing pro bono support to help with intakes can email: afghansupport@parsequalitycenter.org.
  • Human Rights First has created an Afghan Pro Bono Legal Assistance Form. By completing this form, law firms, lawyers, and law school clinics can express interest in providing legal representation or other legal assistance on a range of immigration-related matters, including humanitarian parole requests, SIVs, asylum, P1/2 refugee status, TPS, or family reunification. 
  • Advocates have also compiled resources on visa requirements and processes for Afghans and those supporting them.

  • U.S. congressional offices can also be productive avenues for asking for assistance in humanitarian situations. Advocates may consider reaching out to their Senator or Representative. Certain Members of Congress have already set up special email addresses or contact information to assist Afghans:

  • Visit the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s (AILA) resource page for assisting Afghan clients.

    • For AILA Members: AILA has also prepared a practice pointer on assisting Afghan immigrant visa holders and certain pending visa applicants. The practice pointer contains information on completing the Repatriation Assistance Request form and other potential options for humanitarian parole. The practice pointer will be updated as the situation develops.

  • The Tahirih Justice Center's Afghan Asylum Project, which is providing information and legal screenings for Afghans who have recently arrived in the U.S., is asking advocates to submit information regarding the resources and services available through their organization and the best form for referrals. This information can be sent by email to AfghanAsylum@Tahirih.org.  Advocates may also submit direct interagency referrals via this email. If making a referral please make include the name of the referred individual, the preferred language spoken, and a safe telephone phone number so that Tahirih may follow up with a telephone screening.

For Others Who Want to Help

Take Action

  • Refugee Council USA (RCUSA) has outlined the Top 5 Ways To Support Afghans Seeking Refuge, with resources on congressional advocacy, community sponsorship, and other opportunities to help.

  • The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has created an email form to ask the Biden administration to take “immediate action to help the estimated 18.4 million people in need of humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan.”

  • Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS) is asking advocates to send a message to urge President Biden and Congress to protect Afghans fleeing persecution. 

  • Church World Service (CWS) is calling on people to take action and urge the Biden administration to expand refugee protections for Afghans fleeing violence and persecution. CWS has provided a sample emails, letters, and call scripts to utilize when contacting your elected officials, along with other advocacy resources.

  • Review this FAQ for Sponsors on Humanitarian Parole and the Affidavit of Support created by the Penn State Law Center for Immigrants' Rights Clinic, PARS Equality Center, and Khanbabai Immigration Law. The document provides general information on humanitarian parole and the process of becoming a sponsor. 

  • Afghans For a Better Tomorrow has created a call script and compiled contact information for Senators and Representatives who sit on relevant committees.
  • We Are All America has compiled messaging resources and opportunities to take action in support of at-risk Afghans.
  • You can also take action through social media. Social media toolkits are available from RCUSA and the Evacuate Our Allies Coalition.

Volunteer

  • LIRS’s webpage, How to Help Our Afghan Allies, provides information on ways to offer support. LIRS is calling for volunteers to assist incoming Afghan refugees upon arrival with logistics, meals, mentorship, and more. If you are not located in one of the areas where refugees are currently arriving, consider completing the general standby form for other areas as needs may arise.
  • Opening Doors in Sacramento, California, needs volunteer assistance to greet Afghan refugees at the airport and transport them to their destinations. Volunteers are also needed to prepare Welcome Kits, apartments, and special events. Those interested can complete this form to begin the application process or contact Opening Doors Community Engagement Manager Julie Beckner at julie@openingdoorsinc.org.

Donate

  • Women for Afghan Women, the largest women's group in Afghanistan, is collecting donations to support the nearly 400,000 Afghans fleeing their homes in search of safety, including their clients and staff.
  • International Media Support and the Afghan Journalists Safety Committee are asking for support to provide safehouses, food, and other essential services for journalists in Afghanistan vulnerable to Taliban violence.
  • Afghani start-up Ehtesab is using its technology to provide Afghan civilians with live security updates in Kabul and other regions.
  • Rukhshana Media, an independent news outlet centering the voices of Afghan women, is asking for help to support its journalists.
  • Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace, and Security (GIWPS) is collecting donations to support humanitarian visas and immediate evacuations for high-risk Afghan women. Those interested in offering support can donate to GIWPS partner organization by contacting Public Affairs Director Sarah Rutherford at giwps@georgetown.edu. GIWPS director Melanne Verveer co-authored a Washington Post article detailing four concrete steps the U.S. government can take to support Afghani women.
  • Jewish Family and Children’s Services East Bay is working with Afghan refugees who have already arrived in the United States. Financial donations are needed to support JFCS’ Refugee Service Team as they work to support new refugees.
  • Catholic Charities of Arlington has prepared a document about various ways to help. Catholic Charities Arlington is one of three organizations in northern Virginia dedicated by the State Department to receive and resettle Afghan refugees. They are looking for housing in Fredericksburg, Sterling, and Woodbridge, and taking donations through their Amazon wishlist.
  • IRC is accepting donations to help provide comprehensive care to those affected by the crisis, including medical care and other protective services.
  • LIRS is accepting donations to provide food, housing assistance, and other basic needs.
  • Lutheran Social Services National Capital Area (LSSNCA) is accepting donations as they welcome Afghan refugees.
  • Women for Women International is accepting donations to offer emergency support for Afghan women.
  • CNN's Impact Your World has also compiled a list of vetted organizations accepting donations. 

Amplify Afghan Voices

This page was last updated on September 15, 2021.