the U.S. government has been actively involved in Afghan refugee resettlement through initiatives like Operation Allies Welcome (OAW). Launched in August 2021, OAW aimed to support and resettle vulnerable Afghan nationals, including those who worked alongside the United States in Afghanistan. By March 2022, approximately 88,500 Afghan nationals had arrived in the U.S. under this program. Migration Policy Institute Northcom.mil U.S. Department of Homeland Security
However, recent developments have impacted these resettlement efforts. In January 2025, an executive order titled “Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program” was issued, citing concerns over record levels of migration and suspending refugee admissions, including those from Afghanistan. This suspension disrupted the lives of many Afghan refugees awaiting resettlement and affected the operations of organizations assisting them. The White House Houston Chronicle
Faith-based organizations, such as the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), which had longstanding partnerships with the federal government to assist refugees, ended their agreements due to abrupt funding cuts. The USCCB announced it would not renew its decades-long agreements with the federal government to provide refugee resettlement and children’s services, effectively ending one of the country’s oldest and largest refugee support programs. AP News Axios
Despite these challenges, Afghan refugees already in the U.S. continue to receive support. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has introduced processes allowing Afghan nationals to request re-parole and renew employment authorization. Additionally, organizations like No One Left Behind and Welcome.US are working to assist Afghan refugees with evacuation, resettlement, and advocacy efforts. USCIS Wikipedia Wikipedia
In summary, while the U.S. government initiated significant efforts to resettle Afghan refugees through programs like Operation Allies Welcome, recent policy changes and funding cuts have posed challenges to these efforts. Nonetheless, various governmental and non-governmental organizations continue to provide support to Afghan refugees within the United States.