LOWELL — State Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) and state Rep. Vanna Howard (D-Lowell) are calling on the Senate and House Ways and Means Committees to include $12 million in funding for the resettlement of refugees from Afghanistan, here in Massachusetts.
The pair of legislators co-authored a letter requesting $12 million be included in a supplemental budget for the fiscal year 2021. Over the next year, Massachusetts is expected to welcome at least 1,000 refugees from Afghanistan. In preparation, Howard and Eldridge have been actively working with resettlement agencies, faith groups and nonprofits in their communities to help acclimate the new families.
“The matter of refugees is very personal to me — from experiencing the struggle firsthand to working on this matter for almost two decades,” Howard said. “This funding is crucial to providing the six resettlement agencies with the support they need to help our new Afghan refugees coming to our Commonwealth. Support of this funding would send a strong message on our Commonwealth’s welcoming of incoming refugees and continued embracement of diversity.”
“During the war, these Afghan refugees risked their lives, and their families’ lives, in working with the U.S. government, our American military servicemen and women, and diplomatic corps in Afghanistan,” said Senator Eldridge. “Now, it is our responsibility and commitment to help them and their loved ones secure a safe resettlement in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I hope that state assistance can be provided to the resettlement agencies that are providing on the ground support to help these Afghan families find a new home in Massachusetts.”
In their letter, the legislators proposed allocating $7.5 million to assist with the projected arrival 1,000 to 1,500 refugees. The legislators said it is a proposed cost of $5,000 per individual entering the state. About 75% of the money would go towards direct support including clothing, food and housing. The other 25% would support the resettle agencies proving wraparound services.
An additional $4.5 million would be allocated for legal assistance, dedicated to assisting individuals secure immigration in the U.S. with an eventual pathway to citizenship.
As it stands, the U.S. Department of State is allocating 40% of anticipated arrivals from Afghanistan to resettlement agencies across the country. In Massachusetts, there are six agencies, including: Catholic Charities Refugee and Immigrant Services, the International Institute of New England, Ascentria Care Alliance, Refugee and Immigrant Assistance Center, Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts, and Jewish Family Service of Metrowest.
Both legislators believe the $12 million would send a “strong message” that Massachusetts welcomes these families — a sentiment echoed in comments by republican Gov. Charlie Baker.
“For many years, these resettlement agencies have worked tirelessly to raise private donations while at the same time coordinating state and federal grants to support the incoming refugees from all over the world,” Eldridge and Howard wrote. “We sincerely believe assistance from the Commonwealth is critical to help support refugee resettlement, especially for this round of Afghan evacuees to our state with safety and dignity.”
