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America’s public schools and non-profits will play a crucial role in resettling Afghan refugees

America’s public schools and non-profits will play a crucial role in resettling Afghan refugees

Published in RealClear

The hastily executed withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan has created a rapidly unfolding refugee crisis. America’s public schools and non-profits, while seemingly far removed from the havoc abroad, have an essential role to play in helping to resettle thousands of Afghan allies and their families in communities, but only if careful and intentional preparations are made now. 

The U.S. and its allies evacuated more than 123,000 individuals. Among them were thousands of U.S. citizens and foreign nationals, but most were Afghan civilians who aided the American war effort and their families. Ultimately, officials from the White House anticipate admitting about 95,000 of those Afghans to the U.S. This is the right decision by the Biden administration. The lives of these Afghans were in danger because of their role in supporting America’s military and diplomatic efforts as interpreters, cultural advisers, and translators. We have an obligation to help them find safety outside of the retaliatory reaches of the Taliban. 

However, the lack of planning evident in the withdrawal is also apparent in the refugee resettlement. Evacuees were sent to U.S. and NATO bases that scrambled to set up tents to accommodate the unexpected arrivals. There, evacuees sit in fenced-in enclosures while awaiting the security checks that will permit them to fly to the United States. They will then undergo additional health and security screenings before eventually being settled in communities.

Among these will be thousands of children who will soon arrive at schools that have not anticipated, much less planned for, how to serve these children. The lack of planning by the administration means we do not have a sense of the total number of children or their ages, much less which communities they will eventually be resettled in. 

We know that these children will be among the most vulnerable students that schools are asked to serve this year. They will have just undergone severe trauma, having to abruptly leave the only home and country they have ever known. Most will have limited English language skills. They will need intensive academic support as well as physical health and mental health services.

Three actions are needed to help support these children. First, the Biden administration should create a cross-agency task force to better coordinate existing fragmented services and programs. At a minimum, this should involve the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Department of Education. Among the first tasks should be the coordination of placements so that Governors, state school chiefs, and superintendents can begin preparing now.  

Second, the administration is belatedly asking Congress to provide $6.4 billion in emergency funding to help with the resettlement. While details are scarce, it seems that most of these funds are earmarked to support the overseas housing and processing of these refugees rather than helping communities, including public schools, offset the costs they will face. 

Instead, Congress should use this moment to modernize and increase support for existing refugee assistance programs. For example, the Refugee School Impact Program still relies on an antiquated model that estimates costs based on the number of students served in the prior fiscal year, not the anticipated number in the current school year. Additional, targeted funding for schools is also reasonable given the needs of the children they are expected to serve. 

Finally, the existing refugee resettlement system relies on a network of heroic non-profits, like the International Rescue Committee and Lutheran Family Services, that help families secure housing, find jobs, and enroll in training programs. They are also at risk of being overwhelmed and need additional support to help with the local coordination so critical for both the refugees and the community itself. 

The U.S. government bears much of the responsibility for the unfolding refugee crisis. Schools must have the resources and support they need to help Afghan families resettle and adjust to their new homes. These families put their lives on the line to advance American interests in Afghanistan. Let’s honor that sacrifice by helping them rebuild their lives here in the U.S.