Refugee family friends of Pastor Inga

We all know desperate folks are arriving in our country regularly, and unfortunately, agencies that offer support and structure are getting maxed out. Today I met an Afghan family at the church. They helped the American government in Afghanistan and were able to get out - but have been turned away from agencies here.

Here's their story:

I’m normally not at the church on Mondays, but this morning, I happened to stop by. While there, a father and son newly arrived from Afghanistan came to our door, seeking help with housing.

What I learned is that Emaz, the father, worked for the American Government in Kabul as a mechanic. As a result, their family was helped to get to the U.S. (It took MANY months, and took them through Pakistan, Brazil, Central America and Mexico, but they made it!)

A Jewish organization in San Diego helped them get across the border and then bought them tickets to get to Denver, because it is the only place in the US where they knew anyone. But that’s pretty much it. It seems that the U.S. government can get folks here and out of Afghanistan, but they arrive with nothing and there is really no support system for them, because refugee agencies are beyond capacity and have waiting lists - OR - they are no longer eligible for benefits, as is the case for Afghan peoples "paroled into" the U.S. after Sept 30, 2023.

Emaz’s family arrived a few weeks ago, and they have been staying with their friends. They are a family of 10, and they were staying in a small apartment with a family of eight. The host family has said they can no longer accommodate them without risking their own housing status.

So Emaz and his son, Ali Ahmad, 14, left the apartment in Aurora this morning at 5:00am and walked for four hours searching for assistance. Somehow they ended up at Messiah at about 9:30. I called Lutheran Refugee Services, which is how I learned they aren’t able to help right now. We drove to another agency, African Community Center, and were told they weren't eligible for assistance. Same goes for the one other refugee service in Colorado, International Rescue Committee.

Emaz and his family have all their paperwork and he’ll be eligible for a work permit, but without a place to live, he can’t do much else. Beyond that, Ali was translating for his father. I’m sure it will be challenging for Emaz to find a job without English. He is studying, but he has a ways to go.

After spending several hours with them, I drove them back to the apartment in east Aurora and met the other kids and the mother and grandmother. I provided them with some funds to get through the next several days.

I think we can help Emaz with the next steps in terms of getting the work permit going when he’s ready to do that (and I believe the cost for that is about $500). And refugee agencies may be able to help by January or February.

I invite you to help keep them housed and basic needs covered until agencies are able to help again. Thank you so much for anything you can do. Every dime will get to the family.