Many Afghans trying to flee their embattled country today, four and a half years after the American military’s chaotic withdrawal, face life or death if they remain under the Taliban regime.
Thousands who helped the U.S. during years of war have found refuge in America, including several who were sponsored by a non-profit based in Peekskill.
One of those Afghan families now lives in Peekskill, and another man works in the city, safe after traveling 6,700 miles to freedom along a dangerous path.
Now, 15 more Afghans, approved for their new lives in Westchester County by the federal government, are stranded in limbo in their nation, unable to leave following a Jan. 20 presidential Executive Order that canceled their flights.
The local non-profit Open Arms for Refugees is sending out the word that these friends of America need help now.
Stranded and in danger
Following the executive order by President Donald Trump, the State Department suspended its refugee program, halting all refugee flights into the United States.
According to the order, “… the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security may jointly determine to admit aliens to the United States as refugees on a case-by-case basis, in their discretion, but only so long as they determine that the entry of such aliens as refugees is in the national interest and does not pose a threat to the security or welfare of the United States.”
In December, Westchester-based Open Arms received approval from the Department of State to welcome and provide resettlement assistance to 10 single Afghan women, vetted by the State Department and confirmed as fleeing persecution. But as of Jan. 20, none had yet arrived at JFK Airport, according to Open Arms.
“And so the 10 women we hoped to welcome remain in danger. An Afghan that we and Neighbors for Refugees (NFR) helped resettle last year was anxiously awaiting the arrival of his brother’s family of four and their parents on Feb. 4 and Feb. 19. Cancelled. We cannot imagine their heartbreak, much less their fears,” Open Arms posted on their website. The women all have legal visas and they all helped the U.S., either the military or a non-governmental organization, in Afghanistan.
The executive order does not affect the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program, a separate immigration pathway for Afghans who have worked for the U.S. government or military, including the tens of thousands who have served as translators for the U.S. military since 2001.
Afghans who served in the Afghan military or who campaigned for human rights, but did not work directly for the U.S. military or embassy, are not eligible for the special immigrant visas and have to apply through the refugee program.
Open Arms is reaching out to Congressmen Mike Lawler and George Latimer to expedite clearance and get these approved Afghans on their way to the safety of America they were promised.
Congressman Latimer told the Peekskill Herald in an email on Wednesday evening (Feb. 5), “Earlier this week I actually met with several local non-profits who are working to resettle Afghan refugees. Everyone in the meeting was understandably distressed by the President’s reckless Executive Order halting the resettlement of refugees.
“In the meeting, I met a woman who had been recently resettled in our community who was part of a unit in Afghanistan that went door to door looking for terrorists. She was incredibly concerned about people she knew who are being held up by this unnecessary Executive Order. For them it could be life or death.
“I am willing to work with just about anyone to get this resolved, including with Rep. Lawler, who I hope could appeal to President Trump about these refugees. These refugees were vital to American troops in Afghanistan, and now desperately need our help. I hope a resolution can be found as soon as possible,” Latimer said.
Congressman Lawler’s office did not respond to a request for comment from the Herald.
Open Arms is urging everyone to help with a postcard and email campaign to deliver the compelling message. “We now ask you to personally join this effort, whether you are a volunteer, a donor, or a congregant of one of the 25 houses of worship supporting Open Arms’ mission.
“Please use your voice — from your laptop, at coffee after the service, together with your friends and neighbors. We ask you to add your personal note to the cards. Once completed, put it in the mailbox… a thousand postcards… imagine!”
The Herald reported on a fundraising event that Open Arms held in Peekskill at the Bean Runner in October 2023. Open Arms had resettled 11 families, totaling 35 “future Americans,” to Cold Spring, Ossining and Mahopac at that time.
The group’s 90 volunteers offer their talents in specialized areas, including education, health care, language skills, job training and more, providing a team for each family to help them move into an apartment, settle into schools and find health care and jobs.
“They’ve lost their sense of ‘what do I do today, what do I do for work, where do my children go,’” said Ted Buerger, one of the co-founders of Open Arms for Refugees.
