The U.S. is evacuating U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents and at-risk Afghans from Kabul, including Afghans who served alongside American troops, diplomats and other government employees to advance U.S. military and diplomatic goals. Evacuees are being flown from Kabul to locations throughout the world for processing and screening, including Bahrain, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Qatar, Tajikistan, Turkey, the UAE, the United Kingdom, and Uzbekistan. 

Those who are U.S. citizens are receiving emergency repatriation services and being flown back to locations in the U.S., including Dulles airport, where they are offered various support services.

Currently, it is believed that many of the Afghan evacuees will settle in the U.S., including Alexandria, under Special Immigrant Visas, which are given to Iraqi or Afghan nationals who have been employed by the U.S. Armed Forces as a translator or interpreter, or has been employed by a contractor of the United States government overseas. SIVs are eligible for the same resettlement benefits as refugees for up to eight months after arrival. They arrive with legal permanent resident status and can apply for citizenship after five years.  

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE THE AFGHANS TO GET TO THE U.S.?

It is currently unclear how long it will take to process the tens of thousands of evacuees. U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents and Afghans who already hold an SIV are able to enter the U.S. at any time. However, it is likely that many of the evacuees are at various points in the SIV application process and it is unknown how long it will take the State Department to process their cases. 

While the great majority of refugees and future SIV holders are currently overseas and may not arrive for some time, some Afghan refugees and SIV applicants have arrived in the U.S. Those arriving in Northern Virginia were initially placed at NOVA Annadale but are now being located at the Dulles Expo Center, from where they are transferred for case processing at military bases like Fort Lee in Richmond and Fort Bliss in Texas. Of those processed at Fort Lee, only a handful decided to stay in Virginia so far.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE AFGHANS ARRIVE? 

Once an evacuee receives an SIV, they can come to the U.S., where they will be served by a network of local resettlement agencies—in Northern Virginia, these are Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services and Ethiopian Community Development Council—who have a cooperative agreement with the Department of State to provide specific services and assist with expenses during a refugee’s first eight months in the United States.   

Initial support after arrival includes: 

• securing housing for the family  

• picking up the family at the airport (or Fort Lee)  

• arranging a home setup  

• ensuring a culturally appropriate meal and a week’s worth of groceries are ready for the family in the home when they arrive  

During the next eight months, resettlement agencies provide continued support, such as: 

• enrolling in employment services 

• registering youth for school 

• applying for Social Security cards 

• enrolling in Medicaid 

• medical referrals 

• youth case management 

• Mentoring 

• connecting to necessary social or language services   

In coordination with publicly supported refugee service and assistance programs, resettlement agencies focus on assisting refugees to achieve economic self-sufficiency through employment as soon as possible after their arrival in the United States; refugees receive employment authorization upon arrival and are encouraged to become employed as soon as possible.  

HOW DO SERVICES AND PROGRAMS PROVIDED BY THE CITY HELP? 

City services, programs and schools work closely with the resettlement agencies to provide support, such as facilitating Medicaid enrollment, finding employment, enrolling in school and connecting to social services. In addition, the City offers a wide range of services to immigrants and refugees; learn more about these programs and services and how to access them below.

HOW CAN ALEXANDRIA RESIDENTS HELP? 

Immediate support needed by the resettlement agencies includes:

• Temporary and long-term housing. The resettlement agencies provide financial support towards rent but without credit or work history, it can be difficult to secure leasing for newly arriving families. Call Catholic Charities at 703.520.4011 or view more information. Sign up to provide temporary or permanent housing with Lutheran Social Services.
• New household items and furnishings or select gently used furniture. View Catholic Charities list for needs and contact information. 
• Volunteers to provide transportation, set up apartments and collect and assemble Welcome Home Gift Boxes. Sign up to volunteer with Lutheran Social Services.

Volunteer Alexandria is also collecting supplies. The National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) is coordinating with the Department of Defense to provide support to incoming refugees at military bases; those wishing to support or donate to those efforts should visit the VOAD website for opportunities.  Additional volunteer and support opportunities are listed below. Check back frequently for updates.

News 

• Arlington Community Outreach Program Citizenship Classes are open for enrollment. The free, virtual classes are open to both Arlington and non-Arlington residents.  Contact Susan at sstolpe@arlingtonva.us or 703.228.1198 with any questions or to register
• Afghan Women’s Group is offered through ECDC on Zoom. This group provides an opportunity to make friends and gain support during the resettlement process and learn tips on living in the United States as an Afghan woman. Register online. 
• The Career Pathways Program is actively enrolling new participants in their employment services program for refugees, SIVs, and approved asylees. Enrollees receive employment assistance with resume development, interviewing practice, case management. For more information check the website or email savannah.hill@alexandriava.gov.
• Lutheran Social Services is looking for more mentors for refugee youth and families. Now that mentoring is fully remote, you can do so from wherever you live! See the website for details or contact Debi Kant at kantd@lssnca.org.

• Asylee Assistance for Mandarin Speakers. Catholic Charities Diocese of Arlington now has a Mandarin-speaker on staff that can assist Uyghur asylees in need of services. Ms. Lee can be reached at chia.lee@ccda.net or 571.469.2728.

• Good Neighbor Partner Program. LSSNCA’s Good Neighbor Partner is now recruiting organizational and congregational partners to help welcome refugees to the DMV. To ease this transition and provide an extra layer of care and support, LSSNCA matches families with local congregations and groups as Good Neighbor Partners. For more information contact Shelby Kruczek kruczeks@lssnca.org. 

• USCIS is no longer applying the Trump administration’s Public Charge Final Rule: The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services is no longer applying the has returned to applying the public charge inadmissibility statute consistent with the 1999 Interim Field Guidance. In other words, an applicant’s receipt of Medicaid (except for long-term institutionalization at the government’s expense), public housing, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are no longer considered as part of the public charge inadmissibility determination. Learn more and access a set of FAQs at alexandriava.gov/DCHS.

• Updated student financial aid eligibility coming August 2022: House Bill 2123, sponsored by Delegate Alfonso Lopez, and Senate Bill 1387, sponsored by Senator Jennifer Boysko, make any student eligible for state financial aid if they are eligible for in-state tuition, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. This law will take effect August 1, 2022.

• Medicaid has expanded coverage eligibility for certain Lawful Permanent Residents: Effective April 1, 2021, a qualified Lawful Permanent Resident who entered the U.S. on or after August 22, 1996, and who has resided in the U.S. for at least five years is no longer required to have any qualifying quarters of work to receive full Medicaid benefits. Lawful Permanent Residents who previously were ineligible due to not having required working quarters are encouraged to reapply online or call CoverVA at 855.242.8282.

Below are services and programs provided by the City as well as collaborative partners, nonprofits and other organizations working to improve lives in our community.

Safety Net and Financial Assistance Services

The Department of Community and Human Services provides a range of services and programs to assist Alexandria residents, including immigrants and refugees, experiencing needs such as a housing crisis, medical or disability needs, or needing assistance with purchasing sufficient clothing or food for their household. You can apply online for many of the benefits listed below using  Common Help. For a complete list of services, visit alexandriava.gov/DCHS. 

• Refugee Assistance. Financial and medical benefits to refugees.

• Rental Assistance. Assistance to eligible, low-income persons facing a housing crisis.

• Utility, Heating and Cooling Assistance. Assistance to income-eligible households.

• Food, Clothing, Furniture, Prescription and Burial Assistance. Assistance to eligible, low-income residents.

• Homeless Services. A range of services for those experiencing homelessness.

• Food Assistance. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) assists individuals and families who are unable to purchase sufficient food for themselves.

• Healthcare for Children. The Family Access to Medical Insurance Security Plan (FAMIS) Provides health insurance to children under 19 years-old who are uninsured and who are not eligible for Medicaid.

• Healthcare for Adults and Children. The Medicaid assistance program that pays medical service providers for medical services rendered to eligible individuals

• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Provides eligible families with a monthly cash payment to meet their basic needs.

• Auxiliary Grant Program. Income supplement for individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and certain other aged, blind or individuals with disabilities who reside in a licensed assisted living facility or an approved adult foster care home

• Food, Clothing, Dental, Prescription Drug, Eyeglasses and Burial Assistance. Services provided by the Office of Community Services. 

Employment

The City of Alexandria’s Workforce Development Center (WDC)  assists individuals and businesses with their employment needs. Offering services including Career Readiness Workshops, individualized case management,  assistance with Training and Certifications, and Hiring Events open to the public, the WDC is a Certified One Stop Center for all employment services.  

There are multiple programs offered at WDC that can assist with training and certifications. Many of these programs have eligibility requirements. All of these programs have the goal of securing livable-wages so that individuals are self-sufficient through employment. Some example of these programs:

• SNAP-ET supports Education and Training goals for individuals receiving food assistance through the  Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. 

• VIEW is the Virginia Initiative for Education and Work; this program assists Temporary Assistance for Needy Families recipients. 

• WIOA is the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act; This federally funded program supports Adults and Youth through case management and career coaching in order for participants to reach their career goals.

 WDC also collaborates with onsite employment partners to provide additional program:

•   Upwardly Global: Upwardly Global’s mission is to eliminate employment barriers for skilled immigrants and refugees, and integrate this population into the professional U.S. workforce. This partner offers employment services including online courses, an Employment Advisor in your industry of experience and networking opportunities for skilled immigrants

• Catholic Charities Migration and Refugee Services (MRS) offers employment support including resume assistance, translation services, and pre-employment training for refugees within the first 5 years of resettlement.

• Virginia Employment Commission (VEC): Through the VEC and the Virginia Workforce Connection, job seekers can search for jobs, take career assessments, and research local labor market data. 

• Melwood Jobs assists individuals of differing abilities or those with long term unemployment   with career exploration, case management, and job placement and retention services.  

Support Groups Include:

• Women Immigrant Socio-economic Empowerment (WISE) group meets the last Friday of every month. The goal of this group is to encourage  women immigrants through empowering them through the resettlement process. For more information please contact Tempestt Boulware at 703.746.5871 or Lillian Correa at 703.746.5868. 

• Ethiopian Community Development Council (EDCD) holds monthly support groups for Afghan women. The goal is to introduce women to other newly arrived women, discuss resettlement challenges and offer tips for living in the United States. For more information please contact Emily Bayens at 703.685.0510 ext. 266. 

English as a Second Language (ESL)

There are multiple options for English Language Learners in the City of Alexandria. Some options include:

• Alexandria Public Library provides a variety of free programming and materials for education and recreation. They offer ESL classes and access to computers and the internet.

• The Literacy Council of Northern Virginia (LCNV) focuses on teaching adults the basic skills of reading, writing, speaking, and understanding English so they can access employment and educational opportunities and more fully and equitably participate in the community.

• Alexandria City Public Schools offers an Adult English Learners Program consisting of 6 levels of reading, writing, speaking, and listening in sessions held daily in the morning and evening.

• Northern Virginia Community College offers the American Culture & Language Institute (ACLI).  ACLI helps students achieve their goals of language proficiency for self-improvement, academic studies, and professional development.  

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS)

Students are admitted to ACPS programs without regard to immigration status. Below are a few of the ACPS resources that may be of help to immigrants and refugees. For a full list of programs and services, visit www.acps.k12.va.us.

• Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Center.  The FACE Center involves families in the educational experience of students. Through free information, resources, workshops and fun activities for students and their families, FACE helps connect families to the academic achievement of their children.

• Free and Reduced Lunch Program. Children need healthy meals to learn. ACPS Nutrition is pleased to offer FREE Breakfast and/or Lunch for eligible students, regardless of citizenship status, as part of the federally funded National School Lunch Act and Child Nutrition Act, and administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). Learn more about the program and eligibility guidelines.

• Anne R. Lipnick Special Education Parent Resource Center.  The Anne R. Lipnick Special Education Parent Resource Center (PRC) assists parents to become partners in their child's education. Focusing on the child's needs, we promote training parents to be advocates for their children while establishing cooperative partnerships between families and schools.

Children and Parenting

Immigrating to the U.S. can be a traumatic and difficult experience for both parents and children. In addition, parenting culture in the U.S. can be new and confusing to some immigrants and refugees. Below are resources for parents and children as they adapt to life in the U.S.

• Center for Children and Families. Programs and services for children, youth and families. 

• RAISE. Includes resources for dealing with childhood trauma and information about Alexandria’s Trauma-Informed Care Network.

Health and Wellness

• Alexandria Health Department (AHD). AHD offers many essential public health services and programs for Alexandria residents, including immigrants and refugees. Visit alexandriava.gov/health for a complete list of services, including vaccinations, testing and clinics. 

• FAMIS Prenatal Coverage is full coverage for pregnant individuals who do not meet immigration status rules for other coverages. Individuals do not need to meet immigration status rules, provide immigration documents or have a Social Security number to be eligible for FAMIS Prenatal Coverage; individuals must live in Virginia, meet income rules and be uninsured. Learn more.

• Medical Providers for Individuals Without a Primary Care Doctor or Insurance. Access a list of healthcare providers accepting patients who are underinsured or uninsured, including those who serve regardless of citizenship status. Learn about additional resources for underinsured and uninsured individuals and families.

  • Medicaid has expanded coverage eligibility for certain Lawful Permanent Residents: Effective April 1, 2021, a qualified Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e., green card holder) who entered the U.S. on or after August 22, 1996, and who has resided in the U.S. for at least five years no longer needs to have a 10 year work history (40 quarters) to receive full Medicaid benefits. Lawful Permanent Residents who previously were ineligible due to not having the required work history are encouraged to reapply online or call CoverVA at 855.242.8282. If an individual is lawfully residing in the U.S. but does not qualify for Medicaid because of their immigration status (permanent resident status for less than five years), they can get marketplace coverage even if their income is less than 100% FPL.

•  Mental Health Resources. DCHS provides a wide range of mental health services, including 24-Hour Emergency Mental Health Services, Mental Health Outpatient Services, Substance Use Disorder Outpatient Services, Alexandria Residential Treatment Center (ARTC), Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Support Groups, Opioid Treatment Program and Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence and LGBTQ Services. Also, access Multicultural Resources.

Adults With Disabilities and Older Adults

Aging and Adult Services offers a wide range of programs for older adults and adults with disabilities with special emphasis given to those who have a low income. Services range from financial assistance, rent relief, transportation and help finding employment to caregiver resources and food delivery. For a complete list visit alexandriava.gov/Aging.

Public Safety

Learn more about the agencies and programs that help maintain the safety and overall quality of life for all Alexandrians, including immigrants and refugees. 

• Alexandria Fire Department. Delivers responsive and caring emergency service. Learn about calling 911, cooking fire safety, how to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, smoke alarms and how you can prepare for storms and disasters.

• Alexandria Police Department. Maintains and enhances a partnership with the community to reduce crime and improve the life of all of Alexandria’s neighborhoods. Listen to officers reading stories for children online with APD Storytime. 

• Alexandria Sheriff’s Office. Responsible for general public safety as well as operating the adult detention center and courthouse security. Listen to deputies and the Sheriff read stories for children on the Sheriff’s Office Facebook page. 

There are three main Refugee Resettlement Agencies serving the Northern Virginia region. These include Lutheran Social Services, Catholic Charities Migration and Refugee Services, and the Ethiopian Community Development Center. The purpose of these organizations is to assist refugees with their resettlement into the United States. Services include Reception and Placement in which families are met at the airport upon arrival, provided housing and  Welcome Money, and assisted with cultural orientation to living in the United States. Additionally, these agencies provide employment services to improve the self-sufficiency of individuals through employment.  More information can be found on each agency’s website:

• Lutheran Social Services

• Catholic Charities Migration and Refugee Services

• Ethiopian Community Development Council 

Below are some community organizations that provide services to immigrants and refugees. We are always adding to this list, so check back for new additions.

• Alexandria Housing Development Corporation. AHDC provides reduced-rent apartments for lower-income households in Alexandria. As well, AHDC provides some additional resident services to current residents. Most rental units go for a few hundred dollars less every month than many market-rate counterparts. 

• Alive! ALIVE! provides basic needs support to residents, regardless of citizenship status, who need food, monetary assistance, housewares and furniture. The organization also offers a certified Child Development Center preschool for children ages 3-5 on a sliding fee scale. 

• Casa Chirilagua. “Chirilagua” is the name given to the Arlandria neighborhood in Alexandria by its Central American residents. Casa Chirilagua provides ESL and Spanish literacy classes, after school and college preparation programs and more.

• Ethiopian Community Development Council. The Council's Victim of Crime Advocacy program assists refugee and immigrant victims of crime to regain a sense of safety and security. The Council also provides culturally and linguistically specific advocacy and accompaniment services, information on the criminal justice system, housing assistance and referrals to other victims services.  

• Just Neighbors. Just Neighbors is a nonprofit organization that offers expert immigration legal services to at-risk immigrants, refugees and asylees in Virginia. In a small, compassionate and welcoming environment. Just Neighbors attorneys and volunteers focus on the pressing immigration needs of individuals and families, especially those who are most vulnerable, such as securing proper legal status, obtaining work authorization, and advocating on behalf of immigrants in Virginia. 

• MAP Clinics. A network of weekly health care clinics that provide community-based health care to uninsured or underinsured residents, regardless of citizenship status, using an interprofessional treatment team approach. Visit the MAP Clinic website for a  list of clinic locations and hours.

• Tenants and Workers United. Programs supporting working class communities, people of color, immigrants, youth and women. 

Read the City’s Immigration Enforcement Frequently Asked Questions.

Afghans who are arriving in the U.S. arrive in several locations, including the Northern Virginia area. Learn how you can help families and individuals arriving from Afghanistan through local refugee resettlement agencies and other opportunities below. Check back for additional opportunities as they develop.

• Volunteers, supplies and support needed at Catholic Charities, a local resettlement agency: Learn how help the newly arrived and incoming Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Holders (SIVs) and their families being served by Catholic Charities. Newcomer Services also needs volunteer English teachers, citizenship and workforce training teachers, mentors, office assistants, pro bono attorneys, legal office assistants, and interpreters. Training provided. No foreign language necessary. Contact volunteer.newcomer@ccda.net. For more information
• Volunteers, supplies and support needed at Lutheran Social Services, a local resettlement agency: LSSNCA is mobilizing community supporters to welcome Afghan families and individuals arriving in Virginia. Learn how you can help.
• Supplies needed at Volunteer Alexandria, including non-perishable food and snacks with Halal considerations, water, baby/child items (diapers, wipes, coloring books, etc.) and hygiene items. Learn more at Volunteer Alexandria.

Ongoing Opportunities

The City of Alexandria partners with the local refugee resettlement agencies, which offer a wide variety of on-going opportunities to support and help immigrants and refugees, including:

• Rent to refugees

• Employ a refugee

• Advocate for refugees

• Sponsor or mentor a refugee or refugee family

• Teach English and citizenship classes or help a refugee practice English

• Donate food to pantries, household goods

• Serve in free medical clinics

• Job coach and mentor

For more information on these and other opportunities, visit:

• Catholic Charities Migration and Refugee Services

• Ethiopian Community Development Commission

• Lutheran Social Services Refugee Services

• UNHCR World Refugee Day

• New Americans in Alexandria: A Snapshot of the Demographic and Economic Contributions of Immigrants in the City

• Resources for Organizations and Programs Supporting Immigrants and Refugees

• Office of Historic Alexandria Immigrant Alexandria Project

• Multicultural Mental Health Resources

• Workforce Development Center Blazing Refugee Career Paths

• Alexandria City Council Reaffirms Support for Refugees