Owensboro will take 100 Afghan humanitarian parolees as part of the International Center of Kentucky starting mid-September. The humanitarian parolees are refugees that are evacuating immediately and will be processing the immigration process when they arrive.
According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website, “Individuals who are outside of the United States may request parole into the United States based on urgent humanitarian or significant public benefit reasons for a temporary period, on a case-by-case basis. … While parole allows for lawful presence in the United States, the parolee technically remains an applicant for admission.”
Anna Allen, Site Director for the Owensboro office of the International Center of Kentucky, said the local office will provide services for the refugees during their first 90 days in the country including counseling, employment, enrolling the children in school and parents in English classes, and more.
The decision for the 100 to move to Owensboro came last week, though plans for the group to come to the United States have been in place for some time now according to Allen.
“Typically the [vetting] process takes about two years. However, since they are coming here, I think they’re going to kind of cut through some of the red tape that’s normally [there] and just go ahead and do the whole vetting process at once with them,” Allen said.
Allen said typically she finds most difficulties that arise with transitioning include language and cultural barriers.
When the refugees arrive, Allen said several organizations are prepared help the transition with all of the different services they offer.
“Our clients are going to come here with their employment authorization card in hand and will be able to start working pretty soon — like almost immediately,” Allen said. “So this is also going to be great for the Owensboro community in our business owners and trying to find employees.”
Those interested in volunteering or donating can call the ICK office at 270-683-3423 or visit their website.
