January 7, 2022

Many Afghan Refugees, Including Unaccompanied Minors, Remain in Legal Limbo in the U.S.

Ask students: How many Afghans were relocated to the U.S. as part of “Operation Allies Welcome”? Where are the 23,000 refugees not in local communities currently living?

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PBS NewsHour Classroom

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Summary
Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in August, the United States has evacuated more than 75,000 Afghans through Operation Allies Welcome. Roughly 23,000 evacuees remain on six military bases across the U.S., but more than 50,000 have been placed in local communities. After a tumultuous journey, these refugees are now tasked with rebuilding lives in a new country. Amna Nawaz reports.

Five Facts

How many Afghans were relocated to the U.S. as part of “Operation Allies Welcome”?
Where are the 23,000 refugees not in local communities currently living?
Who is interviewed in this piece, and what is her background?
What are some of the difficulties these refugees are facing?
Why are some children who are unaccompanied by adults facing a “legal limbo”?

Focus Questions

How do you think communities across the U.S. can best help Afghan refugees adapt to life in this country?

Media literacy: What do you wish the interviewer had asked that she did not?

Additional Resources

How are some former immigrant communities and other citizens helping Afghans adjust to life in the U.S.? See this lesson and this one to find out.
Read Supporting Refugees and Immigrants Who Have Experienced Trauma.
Find more resources in Share My Lesson's collection of resources on immigration.

Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Extra.

PBS NewsHour Classroom

PBS NewsHour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories.