States Pave the Way for Welcome: Executive Action to Support Afghan Arrivals

Governors across the United States have eagerly expressed support for arriving Afghan refugees. Below is an at-a-glance guide for states standing up a unified response to welcome our new Afghan neighbors.  


Goals of Unified State Response 

To meet this critical moment, your state’s response should: 

  • Ensure appropriate service provision across state and local agencies for newly arrived Afghans. Respond to emerging needs throughout the resettlement process. 

  • Support refugee resettlement agencies, state departments, community-based organizations, and immigrant communities to welcome and serve Afghan arrivals. 


Longer-term Needs

As Afghans in your state begin to restart their lives, they will have a variety of longer-term needs, including: 

  • Longer-term housing support and stability.

  • Ongoing physical and mental health resources. 

  • Employment services, including training opportunities and investments in English language bridge programs.

  • Legal services for parolees seeking asylum.

Immediate Needs

Afghans arriving in your states will have a variety of immediate needs, including: 

  • Short-term housing and cash assistance options, including the use of hotels and rental assistance. 

  • Immediate support for physical and mental health resources.

  • Food assistance options for individuals ineligible for other services like SNAP.

  • Staffing for resettlement agencies to meet the needs of new arrivals.  

  • Streamlined enrollment processes and resolutions for children entering school.  


10 Actions for Organizing a Unified Rapid Response

In order to stand up a unified emergency response, your office should consider the following ten actions: 

  • Convene impacted organizations and state departments  

  • Coordinate services across inter-agency partners and community-based organizations

  • Manage internal efforts among executive branch departments and agencies 

  • Coordinate and streamline communication with representatives from the federal government

  • Assess short-term housing and cash assistance options 

  • Incorporate Afghan and other resettled refugees in discussions and proposals for longer-term housing support aimed at stability 

  • Propose support for immediate and long term physical and mental health needs 

  • Expand training and workforce opportunities through increased partnerships with workforce centers and other partners 

  • Support resettlement agencies with additional staffing needs to meet the needs of parolees 

  • Support legal services providers with additional resources for parolees seeking asylum 


Partner Checklist

In order to create a response that draws on the critical resources and expertise of your state and local communities, ensure involvement from the following partners: 

  • Federal partners 

    • Office of Refugee Resettlement, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 

    • Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, U.S. State Department 

    • Office of Human Services Emergency Preparedness and Response, U.S. State Department 

    • Federal Emergency Management Agency 

    • Department of Homeland Security 

  • Leads from local refugee resettlement agencies 

  • State refugee coordinator 

  • Afghan community members and organizations 

  • Governor and governor’s team 

  • Office of New Americans/Immigrant Affairs 

  • Municipal liaisons from impacted municipalities

  • Philanthropic community 

  • State departments 

    • Human services 

    • Labor and employment 

    • Local/community affairs 

    • Public health 

    • Public safety

    • Emergency management/security and preparedness  

    • Attorney general 

    • Children and families

    • Department of motor vehicles 


The Refugee Advocacy Lab is available to answer questions and provide support building a unified response. Please email Genevieve@refugeeadvocacy.org.

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