Afghan Families Begin U.S. Resettlement at a Repurposed Conference Center — What Happens Next

After harrowing journeys and sudden evacuations, Afghan families are beginning the U.S. resettlement process in a repurposed conference center serving as a short-term Welcome Center. Here, federal partners, resettlement agencies, and medical teams coordinate intake, health screenings, legal orientation, and case assignment so families can stabilize and move to longer-term housing.

Status & Documents
Most arrivals hold parole documented by an I-94; some are in the SIV pipeline (for former U.S. government/contractor employees) or pursuing Priority-2 refugee referrals or asylum. At intake, caseworkers help secure government-issued ID, request Social Security numbers, and file Form I-765 for work authorization. Families should keep copies (or photos) of passports, I-94s, and any SIV/asylum receipts.

Health & Well-Being
Clinicians provide vaccinations, TB screening, and trauma-informed care. Mental-health partners offer culturally competent counseling, recognizing symptoms of PTSD, grief, and survivor’s guilt after combat exposure, separation, or loss. Children receive rapid referrals for school enrollment and ESL; adults access English classes, digital literacy, and job readiness.

Legal Pathways

• SIV: If eligible, complete pending steps (Chief of Mission approval, I-360, consular processing).
• Asylum: Generally file within one year of arrival; begin affidavits, country-conditions evidence, and corroborating documentation now.
• Family Reunification: Where relatives remain abroad, explore humanitarian parole or immigrant petitions.
• TPS (if available): Consider Temporary Protected Status to secure protection and work authorization while longer cases proceed.

Housing & Self-Sufficiency
Resettlement agencies arrange transitional housing, then assist with leases, furnishings, and budgeting. Employment specialists connect adults to early jobs and upskilling pathways that respect prior professions (interpreting, engineering, health care).

Safety & Rights
Know your rights during any law-enforcement or immigration encounter: you may ask for an attorney and decline consent to searches without a judicial warrant. Keep all appointments; update addresses promptly.

How we help
Our team coordinates work permits, asylum/SIV filings, school and medical referrals, and family-reunification strategies, pairing legal advocacy with trauma-informed support—so families can heal, work, and rebuild their future in safety.