Vermont one step closer to welcoming Afghan refugees

(Gareth Henderson Photo)

With a key federal decision this week, Vermont's plan to welcome Afghan refugees to the Green Mountains is moving forward. 

Gov. Phil Scott on Thursday announced the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) was approved by the U.S. Department of State to welcome up to 100 Afghans in Vermont in the weeks ahead. An exact timeline of arrivals is not yet established.

USCRI is a national nonprofit resettlement agency that assists people who have migrated to the U.S. to help them live safe and dignified lives, as Thursday's announcement said. USCRI’s Vermont Office, the Scott administration, the State Refugee Office at the Vermont Agency of Human Services and other refugee programs have been pursuing opportunities to welcome refugees over the last several weeks. The goal is to accommodate some of the many Afghans who are being targeted due to support of the U.S. military and U.S. government agencies, as well as media and non-governmental organizations, following the end of U.S. military operations in Afghanistan, according to state officials.

“We have a moral obligation to help the people of Afghanistan, who did so much to help us in the War on Terror,” Scott said in a statement. “In addition to this being the right thing to do, we know that welcoming more refugees also strengthens communities, schools, our workforce, culture and economy.” 

For years, the governor has requested annual increases in refugee resettlement in Vermont as part of a strategy to increase economic growth and expand Vermont’s workforce. In Thursday's announcement, Tracy Dolan, the director of the State Refugee Office, noted the interest shown by businesses. 

“It is an honor to help those who have helped our service members overseas and it is a wonderful opportunity for Vermont’s communities and for our businesses who are very interested in expanding our workforce and filling our job vacancies,” Dolan said.

She added, “We are learning from our colleagues at military bases and arrival centers across the country that employment is one of the highest priorities mentioned by these newly arriving Afghans. They are eager to find jobs and rebuild their lives.” 

USCRI Vermont will work closely with the state, as well as with schools, employers, landlords, and health and social service programs, to meet the needs of arriving Afghans and of the community. Before they arrive in Vermont, Afghans will have completed medical and security screenings, and will be authorized to work, officials explained. USCRI is continuing to respond to Vermont volunteers and businesses interested in offering support.

“I want to thank Vermonters for the outpouring of support we are receiving — we are not always fast to respond immediately to your offers due to the preparations we are making but want you to know we are thankful as we work together to extend a warm welcome to our Afghan neighbors,” said Amila Merdzanovic, director of USCRI Vermont. 

The State Department also approved the Ethiopian Community Development Council (ECDC) to open a new field office in Brattleboro. ECDC is a resettlement agency that works with refugees from around the world and hired Joe Wiah, who will begin his new role as director of the Brattleboro Office on September 20. ECDC plans to submit a proposal to the State Department to welcome 25 Afghans to Brattleboro in the coming months. Jessica Chapman, community outreach manager for the ECDC, thanked the Brattleboro community and local, regional and national partners for supporting this effort.

“After many months of planning and discussions we look forward to starting the work of welcoming refugees and Special Immigrant Visa holders to the southern part of Vermont,” Chapman said in a statement.  

Also in southern Vermont, Rutland has shown interest in welcoming Afghan refugees to its community. In a recent report in the Rutland Herald, Merdzanovic told local officials the resettlement effort would start in Chittenden County, Vermont's most populous county, and USCRI would reach out to supporters in other communities. 

The state plans to provide further information on the resettlement of Afghans in Vermont as more details become available.

— Gareth Henderson