As Afghanistan’s imminent humanitarian crisis escalated, many US states have joined the global debate on how to welcome thousands of Afghan refugees.
A bipartisan group of governors came forward to help those fleeing Afghanistan, citing disturbing scenes in the country, and offered to help many Afghan diplomats, journalists and other civilians allied with the United States.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox wrote a letter to President Joe Biden, expressing the state’s desire to help.
“Utah is settled by refugees fleeing religious persecution. We understand the pain caused by forced immigration and thank the refugees for their contribution to our community,” Republican Cox wrote on Twitter on Tuesday.
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan stated in a video on Twitter that many displaced Afghan citizens are allies of the United States and they deserve help.
“The chaotic and heartbreaking scenes that have occurred in Afghanistan in the past few days-innocent civilians fleeing for fear of the Taliban-are the result of hasty and irresponsible evacuation. For many years, these Afghan citizens-our allies-have been brave. We risked our lives and provided valuable support for our efforts as interpreters and support staff, and we have a moral obligation to help them,” Hogan said.
In South Carolina, Governor Henry McMaster told reporters that helping Afghans is “our responsibility.”
California, Georgia, Iowa, Massachusetts, and Vermont have all issued similar statements.
Initiatives to help Afghan refugees are also carried out at the federal level.
On Monday, Biden wrote a memorandum granting Secretary of State Antony Blinken an additional $500 million for “unexpected emergency refugees and immigration of refugees, conflict victims, and others at risk due to the situation in Afghanistan. Requirements, including applications from special applicants”. Immigration visa. “
Many Afghans desperately flee Taliban tightening, Global leader and European countries are increasingly afraid What does another large-scale movement of Muslim asylum seekers mean?
according to United Nations Refugee Agency, Since January 2021, an estimated 270,000 Afghans have been newly displaced within the country-mainly due to insecurity and violence-bringing the total displaced population to more than 3.5 million.
