Afghanistan Resources - MOIA

Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs


Get Legal HelpLegal ResourcesImmigration PolicyNational Advocacy

CHNV Parole Program
Deferred Enforced Departure
Undocumented Spouses of U.S. Citizens
Family Reunification Parole
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
Temporary Protected Status
Temporary Protected Status for Haiti
Afghanistan Resources
Immigrant Workers' Rights
Public Charge Rule

CHNV Parole Program

Deferred Enforced Departure

Undocumented Spouses of U.S. Citizens

Family Reunification Parole

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

Temporary Protected Status

Temporary Protected Status for Haiti

Afghanistan Resources

Immigrant Workers' Rights

Public Charge Rule


Afghanistan Evacuation and Resettlement Resources

اين صفحه را به زبان دری بخوانید | دا صفحه په پښتو کې ولولئ

Updated March 18, 2022

Background: In April, the Biden Administration announced that all American troops will be withdrawing from Afghanistan by the 20th anniversary of the war, September 11, 2021, months beyond the May 1st deadline the Trump Administration had negotiated in 2020 with the Taliban. In July, the Biden administration unveiled evacuation plans for at-risk Afghans, Operation Allied Refuge, and announced that U.S. troops will withdraw by August 31, 2021. On July 30th, a group of over 200 Afghans arrived in Washington D.C., the first flight of Operation Allies Refuge. Meanwhile, conditions in Afghanistan continued to deteriorate as Taliban forces rapidly took over the country, gaining control of Kabul by mid-August. Since July, the U.S. government evacuated more than 120,000 people, and on August 30, the final U.S. troops departed Afghanistan. However, there have been estimates that thousands of Afghans with U.S. ties remain. The Administration has said it intends to use diplomatic channels on an ongoing basis to help U.S. citizens and permanent residents, citizens of allied nations, special immigrant visa applicants and Afghans at high risk leave Afghanistan.

Note: The provision of information about third party resources and the link here to third party websites are for informational purposes only and does not represent an endorsement by the City of New York.

Types of Protections for Which Afghans May Be Eligible

Special Immigrant Visa (SIV): The SIV program is available to Afghan nationals who were employed by, or on behalf of the U.S. government. SIV-eligible individuals and their direct family members may apply directly to the U.S. for resettlement. After their cases have been approved, SIV-holders receive resettlement services from a local resettlement agency.

Priority 2 (P2) Refugee Designation: This new P2 designation was announced on August 2nd for Afghan nationals and their family members who do not meet the specific requirements of the SIV program–including Afghans who worked in Afghanistan for a U.S. government-funded program or project, a U.S.-based media organization or non-governmental organization.

Humanitarian Parole: Humanitarian Parole is a temporary status allowing the parolee to stay in the U.S. for a designated period of time while applying for a longer term solution. On August 23rd, the Department of Homeland Security announced that it would be using its humanitarian parole authority to evacuate up to 50,000 Afghans who may otherwise be eligible for SIV or P2 status but have not yet completed processing for these statuses. Afghan parolees will be granted a two year protection from deportation and are eligible to apply for work authorization. However, they cannot access resettlement services or benefits until they have been granted a separate status (such as asylee, SIV, etc.).

Temporary Protected Status (TPS): On March 16, 2022 the Department of Homeland Security designated Afghanistan for TPS for a period of 18 months. TPS can provide protection from deportation and work authorization for eligible Afghan nationals in the U.S. Please visit our TPS page for more information.

Resources for Afghans Seeking Assistance

U.S. Government Information and Guidance

DHS's Operation Allies Welcome page

USCIS Information for Afghan Nationals on Parole Into the United States

CBP Information for Afghans Paroled into U.S. – English; Dari; Pashto

State Department Afghanistan Inquiries

Refugee Processing Center's page on US Refugee Admissions Program Instructions for Afghan Referrals and the SIV Program for Afghans

Resources and Guidance from Refugee Resettlement and Rights Organizations

International Refugee Assistance Project's (IRAP) "Legal Resources for Afghans" webpage includes up-to-date comprehensive information regarding various immigration legal pathways for Afghan people.

IRAP's guide to SIVs

IRAP's guide to the P2 refugee program

IRAP's guide to Humanitarian Parole

IRAP's guide to what happens upon arrival at a U.S. airport

U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants' "Resources for Afghan Allies" page includes resources in Dari and Pashto for U.S. citizens, SIV or P2 eligible individuals as well as contact information for reaching the State Department's Office of Global Women's Issues

Human Rights First's (HRF) "Resources for Afghans" webpage includes resources for Afghan people translated in Dari and Pashto as well as a link to request legal assistance for Afghan people seeking legal assistance in the United States through "Project: Afghan Legal Assistance (PALA)".

AfghanEvac's website has resources on evacuation options, communications and data security issues, and resources on immigration and resettlement issues.

PARS Equality Center's "Afghan Support Project" page has legal resources for Afghans, including a request form for legal assistance for individuals in Afghanistan

Resources for Those Seeking to Support or Help Afghan Evacuees

General Support: please refer to Refugee Council USA's page for ways in which those in the U.S. can support vulnerable Afghans abroad and in the U.S.

You can find a list of refugee resettlement agencies in your area to support through this interactive map.

Legal Assistance: resources for attorneys seeking to assist Afghan evacuees, including practice advisories on applying for the various forms of protection available

Catholic Legal Immigration Network's Assistance for Afghans Toolkit

American Immigration Law Association's Resources for Assisting Afghan Clients page

Interpretation or Translation Assistance: Human Rights First's Form for those who wish to volunteer as a Dari or Pashto interpreter or translator to assist Afghan evacuees and those in need of legal assistance

Community-Based Organizations Serving the Afghan Community in NYC

Women for Afghan Women

Chhaya Community Development Organization

Arab-American Family Support Center

South Asian Youth Action (SAYA)

Accessing Services in New York City

Consulate of Afghanistan – To speak to a representative about questions you may have, contact the Consulate of Afghanistan at 212-972-2276 or 212-972-2277 and dial extension x458, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 9:00AM – 12:00PM.

A quick and easy road map of city services available to all New Yorkers can be accessed in Dari and in Pashto.

Ask MOIA Hotline – If you have questions about immigration or how to access City services, help in your language is available. Call the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) hotline at 212-788-7654 from Monday to Friday, 9AM to 5PM, or email askmoia@cityhall.nyc.gov.