University of Maryland to temporarily house Afghan refugees

The University of Maryland is working with an international aid group to temporarily house 25 Afghan refugees on its College Park campus, officials said Tuesday.

The families, each with at least seven members, will start settling on campus over the next few weeks and stay for up to one year, officials said.

Among the arrivals are people granted “humanitarian parole” who were evacuated through Operation Allies Welcome, as well as Special Immigrant Visa holders, all of whom faced the risk of persecution and violence in Afghanistan due to their work alongside U.S. personnel in jobs such as translators, drivers and cultural advisers. 

“The University of Maryland is part of a global community, and when we have the opportunity to support humanity, we embrace it,” said University of Maryland President Darryll J. Pines.

“We look forward to providing on-campus housing and being good neighbors to Afghan families. They are U.S. allies who have braved a terrifying situation, and we are happy that we can offer them a welcoming community as they seek permanent housing.”

Over the next few weeks, several families made up of two adults and children ranging from toddlers to teenagers will begin their stays for up to 1 year. IRC will assist them in securing permanent housing, employment, counseling, education and social services to support their transition to the United States. 

“Innovative community partnerships are key to ensuring that refugees settle in safely, securely, and with hope for the future. We are grateful for University of Maryland’s welcome of Afghan evacuees, which is reflective of our state’s broader welcoming spirit,” said Ruben Chandrasekar, Executive Director of the IRC in Maryland.

Thousands of Afghans have arrived in the Washington region since August, when the United States pulled the last of its troops from Afghanistan and the country’s government fell to the Taliban, however resettlement groups have struggled to find many of the families permanent and affordable housing.