Ways to Help and Support Families and Friends of Afghan Refugees
QUICK Links
Here Is Information That Can Help:
U.S. citizen, Lawful Permanent Resident, and Documentarily Ready Immigrant Applicant family members who are in Afghanistan should complete a Repatriation Assistance Request Form issued by the US Embassy in Kabul. Sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at http://step.state.gov to ensure applicant receive travel and health notifications from the U.S. Embassy. Complete one form per family – include all family members traveling with applicant.
2. Once accepted and approved, Embassy staff will contact them directly with instructions.
3. The U.S. Embassy in Kabul is posting frequent updates on their website https://af.usembassy.gov/news-events/. Please check the site for the latest information.
4. Call your Congressional representative’s office helping to connect people in Afghanistan with the US State Department to try to help them leave.
Sample Script When Calling Your Congressional Representative
Example: “I’m calling because I have family in Afghanistan and they need to leave because they are not safe. I need to talk with someone in your office who can help me. My name is _______, my phone number is ______, and my family worked as translators.
The Senator Or Representative May Have Help On Their Website. Look For “Services” Or “Contact”
Your Congressional Representative May Have A Link That Says “Help With A Federal Agency.” Sometimes They May Have An Online Form. You Can Give Them Your Contact Information And Explain The Situation.
If you don’t know anyone in Afghanistan, you can still help:
Make sure that your friends, coworkers, neighbors, or community members from Afghanistan know about these resources.
Reach out to Catholic Charities about volunteering
Write to your Senators and Representative to urge them to do everything they can to help people in Afghanistan who need to leave.
U.S. Senator Alex Padilla’s Office
https://www.padilla.senate.gov/afghanistan-evacuation-resources/ for resources and information for people looking to help someone get out of Afghanistan.
Phone: (415) 981–9369
Congressman Eric Swalwell’s 15th District Office
https://swalwell.house.gov/resources, and email address: CA15AfghanCases@mail.house.gov
Phone: 510-370-3322
Congressman Mark DeSaulnier’s 11th District Office:
https://desaulnier.house.gov/services/help-with-a-federal-agency
Phone: (510) 620-1000
Fax: (510) 620-1005
Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi’s 12th District Office:
https://pelosi.house.gov/how-can-i-help-you/frequently-asked-questions/federal-casework
Phone: (415) 556-4862
Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s 13th District Office
https://lee.house.gov/helping-you/help-with-a-federal-agency/form
Phone: 510-763-0370
Congresswoman Jackie Speier’s 14th District Office
https://speier.house.gov/help-with-a-federal-agency
Phone: (650) 342-0300 Fax: (650) 375-8270
Congressman Ro Khanna’s 17th District Office
https://khanna.house.gov/services/help-with-a-federal-agency
Fax: 408-436-2721
Congresswoman Anna Eshoo’s 18th District Office
https://eshoo.house.gov/services/help-federal-agency
Telephone: (650) 323-2984 or (408) 245-2339 or (831) 335-2020 Fax: (650) 323-3498
Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren’s 19th District Office
https://lofgren.house.gov/services/help-with-a-federal-agency Phone: (408) 271-8700