A new beginning for Afghan families: finding hope in a new future

In the makeshift clothing store, traditional Afghan garments are mixed with American clothes including jackets, socks and underwear. A young Afghan boy flashed a bright smile as he selected his first pair of outdoor boots. In the recreation room, children were playing table hockey, taking turns hurling a soccer ball in the air and contending boisterous foosball matches while Afghan music played in the background. A young Afghan boy ran around with a soccer ball, showcasing his skills to a news cameraman who followed him across the room.

The families with minor children enjoyed Afghan cuisine staples, such as a kidney bean stew known as lubya, and Naan, as well as halal versions of American classics, including turkey hot dogs with beef chili. In an arts-and-craft room adorned by dozens of paintings and drawings, children sat side-by-side drawing. Some had drawn animals, their favorite soccer team and Afghanistan’s flag. In drawings and paintings placed across the facility, children also depicted the American flag and expressed gratitude for their host country.

As of yesterday, the facility in Northern Virginia was housing Afghan evacuees selected for resettlement in the United States, including children. This information was provided by officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees the facility.

The massive hotel-like suburban complex, which typically hosts corporate and government events, was converted into a short-term refugee housing facility by the U.S. government earlier this year. It is now the sole domestic processing site for Afghans who have escaped Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.

Since February, the National Conference Center in Virginia has been the only destination for Afghans arriving in the United States under the parole authority, which allows officials to expedite the entry of immigrants who have not yet completed the visa or refugee process on humanitarian grounds. The complex has received approximately , individuals since it was set up.

The conference center has been receiving a few hundred evacuees on one flight each week, typically from the United Arab Emirates, where thousands of evacuated Afghans have been stuck for months, said Kenneth Graf, a DHS official in charge of the facility. The last flight is set to arrive at the end of September, when the congressional funding for the site is slated to expire, Graf added.

The official leading the team tasked with facilitating the resettlement of evacuees from Afghanistan said Thursday that the U.S. is winding down its use of parole to admit Afghan evacuees, but stressed that other legal immigration pathways will continue to be available to Afghans.

“The government’s commitment to our Afghan allies will continue well beyond today, and beyond the coming weeks and months,” Lafferty told reporters. “It will continue for the next several years as we try to make sure that we protect all of our allies.

Learninng Outcome

The conference center has been receiving a few hundred evacuees on one flight each week, typically from the United Arab Emirates, where thousands of evacuated Afghans have been stuck for months, said Kenneth Graf, a DHS official in charge of the facility. The last flight is set to arrive at the end of September, when the congressional funding for the site is slated to expire, Graf added.