July 26 – Massachusetts is becoming a thriving home for new Afghan arrivals in the United States. In the years following the political and social upheaval in the country, nearly 2,000 Afghan citizens have relocated to cities such as Worcester, Boston, and Lowell. Here, they begin taking the steps toward rebuilding their lives and bravely carrying on amidst the hardships they face.
Their journey to a new life is not over once they reach the U.S., however. Many Afghan refugees are forced to abandon everything when seeking to flee the country, and for many, this means leaving family behind. This process can be extremely stressful for those seeking asylum here in Massachusetts.
“People are very nervous,” said Jessica Pelletier, Director of the Immigration Legal Aid Program (ILAP) at Ascentria. “They want to know they have someone in their corner that will advocate for them and give them the best advice.”
In order to help reunite recent Afghan arrivals with their families who remain in Afghanistan, Immigration Legal Services for Afghan Arrivals (ILSAA) operated a clinic at the Worcester Public Library from July 18-20. Along with ILAP from Ascentria, attorneys and legal associates were able to process 91 reunification applications to reunite Afghan arrivals with their families here in Massachusetts.
Pelletier, a former Worcester Assistant District Attorney who is coming up on her second year with Ascentria, never tires of helping new arrivals reunite with their loved ones.
“The clients are absolutely wonderful,” said Pelletier. “They are so kind, they are so hard-working. No matter how they came here, they want to do the right thing, and that’s something I get the privilege to help them with. It never gets old for me.”
An important aspect of life for new arrivals from Afghanistan is staying connected with their culture here in the U.S. Local celebrations, such as last month’s World Refugee Day, help to connect people of similar backgrounds and establish a tighter-knit community among them.
Sayed Matin Hussainy, who arrived in Boston from Afghanistan in 2021, was a successful small business owner in his home country. In the months following his arrival, he was able to recreate his success by becoming an independent insurance and financial consultant. Now, he wants to help his people with the process of moving here.
“I have been helping other refugees with tax forms and insurance forms,” said Hussainy. “I have big dreams and I want to help my people.”
This fall, Hussainy will continue his education, pursuing an MBA from UMass Boston while continuing to help fellow Afghans acquire residence in Massachusetts. At World Refugee Day in Worcester, he spoke to the importance of having a community to belong to.
“I think refugees, number one they need to feel at home,” said Hussainy. “Festivals like this, connecting with people of the same culture is important. Number two is the memories. The music and dance, for example, reminds me of my heritage and culture and I can celebrate it like I am at home.”
To continue Ascentria’s aid to refugees and asylees, Ascentria has been a part of the legal services clinic at the Worcester Public Library. On the second Wednesday of every month, nonprofits and private attorneys will assess what clients need, whether it’s a change of address form or asylum documents, and they can get what they need free of charge.
To learn more about assisting new Afghan arrivals, visit ilsaa.acf.hhs.gov. For information on their events at Worcester Public Library, visit mywpl.org.
