The local affiliates conduct extensive engagement with local communities to develop resources and support. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS The Department of Homeland Security will not link to any website that exhibits hate, bias or discrimination and reserves the right to deny or remove any links for the following reasons: (a) A linked website contains misleading information or unsubstantiated claims or is determined to be in conflict with Department of Homeland Security's mission or policies; (b) At the Department of Homeland Securitys sole discretion. The UCG reports directly to the Secretary of Homeland Security and coordinates the implementation of a broad range of services, including initial processing, COVID-19 testing, isolation of COVID-positive individuals, vaccinations, additional medical services, and screening and support for individuals who are neither U.S. citizens nor lawful permanent residents. You can apply at the state government benefits office or closest resettlement agency in your state beginning on or after the date that you received humanitarian parole. New Jersey - Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Army veteran Allison Jaslow also is the first LGBTQ leader of a major veterans service organization. It's easy! The rigorous screening and vetting process, which is multi-layered and ongoing, involves biometric and biographic screenings conducted by intelligence, law enforcement, and counterterrorism professionals from DHS and DOD, as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), and additional intelligence community partners. announced approval of these awards and who meet the criterion above may As with traditional resettlement processes, placement of individuals considers U.S.-based family and friends, housing availability, community capacity, and the needs and characteristics of each case. Florida - Tampa The refugees were temporarily housed at eight military bases around the country where troops provided basics such as housing, meals and internet, but also educational services, soccer games and shura councils, traditional tribal councils that settle disputes. Task Force-Liberty members assist the last Afghan guests in their departure from Liberty Village at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurtst, Feb 19. You may also be eligible for federal mainstream (non-ORR funded) benefits, such as cash assistance through Supplemental Security In-come (SSI) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), health insurance through Medicaid, and food assistance through Supple-mental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Pentagon said it has evacuated about 7,000 people from the country. Web"I commend you for your noteworthy achievement as a Logistics Officer with Air Mobility Task Element 630.1.3 whilst deployed on Operation OKra from 24 July to 11 November 2015. The operation was concurrent with the larger American military withdrawal from Afghanistan and the multinational evacuation of eligible foreigners and vulnerable Afghans. The HSM will not be awarded for COVID-19 operations or activities that occur in a geographical area where a DoD or Department of the Navy campaign or expeditionary medal is authorized (e.g. opposition or imminent hostile action. The announcement comes as many troops grapple with the one-year anniversary of the U.S. military withdrawal that ended a 20-year war, the nation's longest. Additionally, Afghan nationals who are paroled into the United States are required to complete vaccinations for MMR, varicella, polio, COVID-19, and other age-appropriate vaccinations, as well as medical exams and health screenings, as a condition of their humanitarian parole. (The initial count was roughly 640,[24] but U.S. Air Force officials later said they had not initially counted children sitting in their parents' laps on the buses. e. As an exception, due to the expansive nature of OAR and OAW, award is ORR-funded cash and medical assistance are limited to a maximum of eight months from your date of eligibility. b. The U.S. government continues to take every precaution to stop the spread of COVID-19 and other diseases, consistent with CDC guidance. Operation Allies Refuge, the official title for the mission to help get Americans and Afghans eligible for residence in the U.S out of Afghanistan, managed Afghan security forces fled the capital and thousands of Afghan civilians hurried to the airport in hopes of boarding flights, resulting in chaotic scenes of Afghans attempting to force themselves aboard military planes. U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Makaila Duffey, 56th Logistics Readiness Squadron logistics planner stands with the U.S. Once verified, commands eligible Service members for qualifying participation in Operation ALLIES REFUGE (OAR)and Operation ALLIES WELCOME (OAW) during the period 31 August 2021 active. "No other military could have protected so many lives under such challenging circumstances in such a short amount of time -- not just because of our airlift or our logistics capabilities, but most of all because of the immense compassion, skill and dedication of American Service members," Austin said in his message announcing the awards. [26][27] U.S. Army Maj. General William Taylor said that nine C-17s arrived overnight, bringing equipment and 1,000 more troops. WebOperation Allies welcome ribbons? The Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command, and in support of the Department of Homeland Security, is providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening, and general support for at least 50,000 Afghan evacuees at suitable facilities, in permanent or temporary structures, as quickly as possible. Individual service Provisions in the Continuing Resolution passed by Congress on September 30, 2021 authorized Afghan parolees to receive the same benefits and services as refugees. The Taliban officials agreed to terms set by McKenzie for refugees to flee using Kabul Airport. Operation Allies Welcome announced that all remaining Afghan evacuees have departed Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, where they have been temporarily OAR and OAW. The screening and vetting process involves biometric and biographic screenings conducted by intelligence, law enforcement, and counterterrorism professionals from the Departments of Homeland Security and Defense, as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), and additional intelligence community partners prior to their arrival in the United States. These individuals will also have the option to receive COVID-19 and other vaccines either at U.S. government-run sites near Washington Dulles International Airport and Philadelphia International Airport, or at a Department of Defense facility. Ms. Ingraham, Ms. Herrera, and Ms. Berdinner, who represent the Operation Allies Welcome Resettlement Team, coordinated the largest resettlement effort in modern U.S. history, providing housing and services in record time to more than 72,000 Afghans in five months who fled from Afghanistan in 2021 after the fall of Kabul. Some of us for request must indicate the qualifying unit and dates assigned, a copy of the 7/13/2022. record documentation continues to be a command responsibility. Germany - Stuttgart; Wiesbaden; Kaiserslautern, Ramstein Air Base, Rhine Afghan nationals have conditions placed on their parole, including requiring them to receive medical screening, critical vaccinations, and other reporting requirements. During the resettlement process, Afghan nationals are provided with briefings on the conditions of their parole and that violating the law violates their parole. [33], On 20 August, about 5,700 people were evacuated on 16 flights. USCIS personnel are adjudicating applications for employment authorization, conducting other immigration processing, and providing administrative support, including translation services, to expedite the processing of applications for immigrant status and work authorization. Some are SIV applicants who were already in the SIV pipeline. Soldiers assigned to Task Force Liberty wave goodbye to Afghan guests. All rights reserved. orders, evaluations/fitness reports, or other official documentation which They can continue to pursue special immigrant status (and ultimately lawful permanent residency) or they may apply for another immigration status through USCIS. deemed to be a significant activity and encountered no foreign armed During this step in the process, Afghan nationals are able to apply for work authorization with USCIS personnel and are connected to resettlement services. Webclosure of the afghanistan campaign medal and authorization to award the global war on terrorism medal for operation enduring sentinel. INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//DNS// After they finish processing at the port of entry, U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and SIV holders may depart the airport, while SIV applicants and other vulnerable Afghan allies who were granted humanitarian parole are provided transportation to U.S. military facilities where they receive a full medical screening and a variety of services before moving onto their next destination. According to Robert McCreary, a former congressional chief of staff and White House official under George W. Bush, Khalid and his family were rescued via helicopter by U.S. forces in a night-time operation named Operation Promises Kept. Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) and Congressman Mike Garcia (CA-25) have introduced legislation, H.R.5437, to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the U.S. Air Force aircrew of Reach 871 in recognition of their bravery and outstanding service during Operation Allies Refuge. Bronze Star with valor. On August 29, 2021, President Biden directed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to lead and coordinate efforts across the federal government in support of Operation Allies Welcome (OAW). 2021 evacuation of Americans and eligible Afghans from Afghanistan, Afghan refugees resettled per 100K residents after the 2021 Afghan withdrawal and evacuation in each U.S. state and the District of Columbia according to CBS News. An official website of the United States government. For a list of state contacts go to: Now. as members of U.S. military units, in a designated U.S. military operation The majority were killed by a suicide bombing. REFUGE (OAR)and Operation ALLIES WELCOME (OAW) during the period 31 August Tens of thousands of people in local communities across the United States ensure the success of the U.S. [49], On 10 September, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced in a statement that 21 Americans and 11 legal citizens had evacuated from the country as the Taliban were allowing some departures. Participating Units and Personnel. Types of proof include. He also announced that 28,000 people have been evacuated since 15 August, and that 33,000 people have been evacuated since July. During the non-combatant evacuation from Afghanistan, the We were there for a little over two months. Per references (b) and (c), the AFSM is a deployed service medal 5. The long-distance Hawaiian outrigger, the Hklea, on which he was a crew member, began taking on water 20 miles off Molokai. [21], On 15 August, Kabul fell to the Taliban. DHS Announces Fee Exemptions, Streamlined Processing for Afghan Nationals as They Resettle in the U.S. Readout of Private Sector Roundtable on Operation Allies Welcome, Memorandum for the Secretary of State on Unexpected Urgent Refugee and Migration Needs, Operation Allies Welcome Completes Vaccination Campaign for Measles and Varicella for Afghan Evacuees, On-the-Record Press Call with the Regional Reporters Association by White House Coordinator for Operation Allies Welcome Jack Markell and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas on Operation Allies Welcome, Readout of Senior White House Meeting with Faith Leaders on Efforts to Relocate Afghan Allies, Secretary Mayorkas Delivers Remarks on Operation Allies Welcome, Readout of Secretary Mayorkass Engagement with Community Leaders Regarding Operation Allies Welcome, Memorandum on the Designation of the Department of Homeland Security as Lead Federal Department for Facilitating the Entry of Vulnerable Afghans into the United States, DHS to Serve as Lead Federal Agency Coordinating Efforts to Resettle Vulnerable Afghans, Statement by President Joe Biden on the Evacuation Mission in Kabul, Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, https://www.wrapsnet.org/rp-agency-contacts/, https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/grant-funding/key-state-contacts, Fact Sheet: Executive Order to Preserve Certain Afghanistan Central Bank Assets for the People of Afghanistan, Fact Sheet: Private Sector Leaders Are Stepping Up to Welcome Afghans, Benefits for Afghan Humanitarian Parolees, Information Sheet for Afghan Parolees Departing Safe Havens - English (PDF, 211.48 KB), Information Sheet for Afghan Parolees Departing Safe Havens Special Immigrant Visa Attachment English (PDF, 130.29 KB), Information Sheet for Afghan Parolees Departing Safe Havens - Dari (PDF, 170.27 KB), Information Sheet for Afghan Parolees Departing Safe Havens Special Immigrant Visa Attachment Dari (PDF, 132.56 KB), Information Sheet for Afghan Parolees Departing Safe Havens - Pashto (PDF, 170.84 KB), Information Sheet for Afghan Parolees Departing Safe Havens Special Immigrant Visa Attachment Pashto (PDF, 149.34 KB), U.S. Central Command - Afghanistan Evacuation, U.S. Northern Command - Operation Allies Refuge, December 31, 2021: Operation Allies Welcome Announces Departure of Last Afghan Nationals from Fort Bliss, Texas. a. Active/Reserve personnel. LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas-- Members of Laughlins 86th Flying Training Squadron delivered quality-of-life essentials to Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico on Oct. 18, 2021 in support of Operation Allies Welcome. Navy personnel attached to DoD, Joint, or other non-Navy commands who Tony, Thursday at 06:21 PM These briefings include information on U.S. laws and rights, including that illegal actions or activities could lead to prosecution and imprisonment and may jeopardize an individuals immigration status. President Joe Biden ordered the awards and the review following a meeting with the defense secretary and Gen. Mark Milley, the Joint Chiefs chairman, according to Austin. [10][12] On 22 July, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Averting Loss of Life and Injury by Expediting SIVs (ALLIES) Act to increase the visa cap for Afghan interpreters and to expedite the Afghan SIV process. a Form I-94 noting Humanitarian Parole (per INA section 212(d)(5)(A)), a foreign passport with DHS/CBP admission stamp noting OAR, or a foreign passport with DHS/CBP admission stamp noting OAW. Each individual in a family applying for ORR benefits and services should bring their own proof and the date their humanitarian parole (or other ORR-eligible status) was granted. Only one AFSM is awarded for multiple deployments for the same designated operation. When you link to an outside website, you are leaving the DHS website and are subject to the privacy and security policies of the owners/sponsors of the outside website(s). ROUTINE The Department of State (DOS) works closely with DOD and DHS to coordinate the civilian and non-governmental staff working at the military bases to ensure Afghans receive basic support and can finalize processing on base in order to transition to resettlement.Once Afghans have completed all processing steps, DOS works with its resettlement agency partners to assign and transfer them to their final destination. RMKS/1. [13][14][clarification needed], On 30 July, the first group of 221 Afghan interpreters arrived at Fort Lee, Virginia, for SIV processing, with at least 20,000 SIV holders and applicants still to be moved from Afghanistan. award of the Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM).