Colorado Refugee Services Program

The State of Colorado is committed to providing the most accurate and up-to-date information we can. Below, you can find information and resources about and for Afghan people arriving in Colorado.

Frequently asked questions about Afghan arrivals

Note: This FAQ was updated on Oct. 25.

How can I help? 

You can be a part of ensuring that Colorado is prepared to welcome Afghan evacuees by donating to the Colorado Afghan Evacuee Support Fund, a statewide effort fiscally sponsored by the Rose Community Foundation. Donate here: bit.ly/COAfghanSupport.

Colorado’s resettlement agencies appreciate the outpouring of support from Coloradans. At this time, they are not able to accept additional in-kind donations. Cash, gift cards, and Amazon wish-list donations are the best way to provide support at this time. 

• ECDC/African Community Center: Amazon Wish List and donate page
• International Rescue Committee: Amazon Wish List and donate page
• Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains: Amazon Wish List (Denver, Colorado Springs) and donate page (designate to ‘Refugees - Afghan and other’)

Which Afghans were evacuated? 

The Afghans who were prioritized for evacuation were individuals who served the U.S. government and U.S. contractors in our country’s efforts in Afghanistan, as well as other individuals who worked in supportive roles to further the mission of coalition forces in Afghanistan, including, but not limited to journalists, women’s rights activists and more. Their alignment with this mission has put their lives and the lives of their families at risk. 

What immigration status(es) will newly arriving Afghans have? 

Immigrant communities often have a variety of immigration statuses, and despite fleeing for similar reasons, Afghan evacuees may ultimately arrive as refugees, Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders, or humanitarian parolees. Immigration is a federally-managed process, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security serving as the lead agency. Additional information for Afghans can be found on the USCIS website.

Given the urgency of the situation in Afghanistan and the speed of the evacuation, we understand that the majority of individuals who have been evacuated will arrive in Colorado with a humanitarian parole status. Humanitarian parole allows for admission to the U.S. due to an emergency. As a result of the continuing resolution passed by Congress and signed by President Biden on September 30, 2021, humanitarian parolees are now eligible for the same types of programs and services available to refugees and other Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) eligible populations. 

In addition to humanitarian parolees, some individuals will ultimately arrive with SIV status, as refugees or SI or SQ parolees*. SIVs, refugees, humanitarian parolees, and SI and SQ parolees are all Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) eligible populations, so they will qualify for programs and services currently available for refugee populations, such as those coordinated by the Colorado Refugee Services Program (CRSP).

Are there unaccompanied minor children arriving in the U.S.?

There are reports of unaccompanied minor children among the evacuated Afghans. Unaccompanied Afghan youth entering the US as humanitarian parolees will enter the Unaccompanied Children's Program with the Office of Refugee Resettlement. These youth may enter Colorado’s Unaccompanied Refugee Minor (URM) program once their immigration status makes them eligible for the federal program.

How many Afghans are expected to arrive in Colorado? When will they arrive? 

Afghans have been the largest population arriving in Colorado for the last two years. The State of Colorado and its partners have experience working alongside Afghans as they rebuild their lives. 

Colorado typically resettles about 3% of the national total of new refugee arrivals.The estimates for the number of Afghan humanitarian parolees to enter the U.S. now range from 70,000-90,000. With this broad estimate, and based on previous resettlement patterns of Afghans nationally, the State of Colorado is still planning to serve between 1,000 and 2,000 individuals. 

The federal government is leading a staged process involving international ‘lily pad’ sites, two dedicated U.S. ports of entry and utilizing eight military bases domestically. The majority of evacuated Afghans are now at military bases in the U.S. for additional administrative processing. Starting the second week of October, Colorado began to see increased arrivals of Afghans as processing on bases was completed. Since Aug. 1, 2021, approximately 400 Afghans have arrived in Colorado as refugees, SIVs, or under humanitarian parole. These figures, provided by the Colorado Refugee Services Program, are point-in-time snapshots that are updated weekly by resettlement agencies and are subject to change. Sustained high levels of Afghan arrivals are anticipated through the end of 2021. 

Who is leading the federal government’s response? 

President Biden asked the Department of Homeland Security to lead the efforts. You can find out more about Operation Allies Welcome here.

Who is leading Colorado’s response? 

There is a strong and coordinated statewide response to ensure that Colorado is prepared to receive Afghan evacuees. The Office of New Americans, CRSP, and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management are the lead partners developing the response under the guidance of the Unified Command Group. Colorado’s three refugee resettlement agencies — ECDC/African Community Center, International Rescue Committee, and Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains — will serve as frontline implementing partners in collaboration with additional local community agencies. 

What support is available for Afghans arriving here? 

All arriving Afghan evacuees will be eligible for initial services at resettlement agencies. The Department of State launched the Afghan Placement and Assistance (APA) program, which is an emergency case management program to provide initial relocation services for humanitarian parolees to mirror existing programs for refugees and SIVs. These initial services, coordinated through a cooperative agreement between resettlement agencies and the Department of State, are time-limited. These services include help with setting up housing and financial assistance. Most arrivals will be welcomed by one of the resettlement agencies. However, we may also see newcomers in Colorado arrive through self-directed means, usually because they have a relationship with someone (such as a veteran) in one of Colorado’s communities. These individuals should first seek assistance directly from the resettlement agency of their own choosing. Resettlement agency contact information and additional core service provider contact information is listed on the Core Programs & Services document, available in English, Dari, and Pashto. 

Services through partner agencies past the initial services are coordinated by CRSP. These partners include refugee resettlement agencies, schools and community health care centers. Learn more about the types of programs and services here and here. Afghans arriving as humanitarian parolees, refugees, SIVs, or other statuses that make them eligible for refugee services, will be eligible for the wrap-around services that CRSP provides. These individuals are also eligible to apply for other programs like food assistance or Medicaid. To better understand eligibility for a wide array of programs, refer to the benefit eligibility for Afghan evacuees resource.

What medical screening or health support is in place for new Afghan arrivals? 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides medical screening guidance to ensure the health and safety of Afghans and the American public. CDC has established guidance for medical screening for SIVs and humanitarian parolees. Both populations will receive a routine screening exam at U.S. military bases. Screening includes: 1) age-appropriate vaccines (including MMR, IPV), 2) COVID-19 vaccination and test; 3) screening for tuberculosis and 4) as needed, disbursement of medically-indicated prescriptions (such as heart medications) in a thirty-day supply (or as directed by a physician). 

The state of Colorado and partners are working closely to ensure newcomers are connected to healthcare and mental health services. 

How is national security being prioritized and maintained as Afghans enter the U.S.?

There is close coordination between key federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Defense, and the National Counterterrorism Center. Together, these entities are ensuring national security as they vet and welcome Afghan evacuees to the U.S. Learn more on the Operation Allies Welcome website. 

How is COVID-19 safety being maintained as Afghans arrive in the U.S.? 

All evacuees from Afghanistan are being tested for COVID-19 upon arrival into the U.S. and quarantine protocols are in place for anyone testing positive. COVID-19 vaccines (Johnson and Johnson) are provided at military bases in the U.S. The federal government has stated that a COVID-19 vaccination is required to maintain humanitarian parole status. 

*SI is “Nationals of Iraq or Afghanistan serving as interpreters with the U.S. Armed Forces” 
SQ is “Certain Iraqis or Afghans employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government.”

Afghan evacuee overview and benefits eligibility

Explore this resource to learn more about the immigration statuses of arriving Afghan evacuees and their eligibility for a variety of federal, state, and local programs. It is available in several languages:

• English
• Dari
• Pashto

Core programs and services: A guide for Afghan humanitarian populations

This list of resources, which is intended for Afghan people arriving in Colorado, provides contact information for resettlement agencies, county human services agencies and other key programs. It is available in several languages:

• English
• Dari
• Pashto

Workforce Centers webinar on Dec. 6

The State of Colorado and Workforce Centers are hosting a webinar to share with Afghan individuals the resources and services provided at the Workforce Centers. You will hear from Workforce Center managers about how to find a job, how to transfer your employment skills to Colorado, and how to access funding to help you pay for training programs, including commercial driver licenses (CDLs) and healthcare careers. This flyer highlights some of the services provided. Please join us to learn more.

When: Dec 6 at 2 p.m. We will have translation for Pashto and Dari. 

Registration: Participants need to register in advance for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Community stakeholder town hall

The Colorado Refugee Services Program, the state Office of New Americans, and Rep. Jason Crow co-hosted a community stakeholder town hall on Sept. 20 about the State's response to welcoming Afghans to Colorado. View the recording below.

Colorado Afghan Evacuee Support Fund

The Colorado Afghan Evacuee Support Fund, fiscally sponsored by Rose Community Foundation, works to ensure that Colorado is prepared to welcome Afghan evacuees and connect them with community resources. Learn more about the fund and how you can support it.