Refugee Support & Resources
Friends - the humanitarian crises occurring in Ukraine, Afghanistan, and other locations across the world are impacting families here in Santa Clara County, and many of our local community organizations are taking an active role in helping families here and abroad. Did you know 1 in 40 residents in Santa Clara County is a refugee - more than 50,000 of our neighbors?
Here are some resources and ways to help:
⇨International Rescue Committee - Rescue.org
The mission of the IRC is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Instability in Afghanistan is putting the lives of thousands of civilians at risk. Donate now to help the IRC support Afghan families and people in crisis worldwide. Click HERE to learn more.
⇨Women for Afghan Women - WomenForAfghanWomen.org
Women for Afghan Women (WAW) is the largest women’s organization in Afghanistan, with over 850 local Afghan staff working tirelessly to provide support services to women, children, and families. Click HERE to learn more.
⇨IRAP, International Refugee Assistance Program - RefugeeRights.org
For years, IRAP has been on the frontlines of the fight to bring vulnerable Afghans to safety through direct legal services, litigation, and advocacy. Click HERE to learn more.
⇨Social Services Agency - Santa Clara County
SSA has the Refugee Employment and Elderly Services Program. The program provides employment services to refugees including vocational English as a Second Language classes, job placement, job retention, computer labs, and other additional workshops. The elderly services include English as a Second Language classes, outreach to mainstream services, services to aid with independent living, and aid with naturalization. Social Services also can connect refugees with benefits and Medi-cal. Steven Mantegani, Refugee Coordinator from Social Services Agency. Click HERE for the Social Services Agency website.
⇨TB/Refugee Clinic at Valley Medical Center - San José, CA
Provides health assessments to the newly arrived refugees, SIVs, and asylees
Click HERE for more information.
⇨Pars Equality Center - San José, CA & Los Angeles, CA
Pars supports immigrant communities to realize their full potential as informed, self-reliant, and responsible members of the American society.
Pars Equality Center achieves its mission primarily by providing extensive social and legal services. Our multi-lingual-staff including case managers and attorneys serve the needs of our community by providing a full range of professional social services and legal representation. Click HERE to learn more.
⇨South Bay Afghan Islamic Community Centre - San José, CA
Connect with local members and activities with the South Bay Afghani community. Contact Information Link
⇨Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley - San José, CA
JFS of SIlicon Valley has been an outstanding partner for our refugee and displaced residents and families. Click HERE for information about refugees in Santa Clara County Information and Click HERE for Refugee Services.
⇨Catholic Charities - Santa Clara County, San José, CA
Catholic Charities continues to provide support and resources for many local immigrant families. The have a special program that helps to resettles unaccompanied refugee minors. Click HERE for more information about their refugee program.
⇨Afghan Coalition - Fremont, CA
Based in Fremont, this organization supports the Afghani community in the Bay Area, including with wellness programs. Click HERE to learn more.
⇨American Red Cross, Silicon Valley Chapter - San José, CA
The Red Cross continues to be a leading partner for helping families impacted by emergencies or natural disasters. Click HERE for information about the San José location.
The County of Santa Clara Office of Immigrant Relations Refugee Resources
Refugee Resource Links:
- Know Your Rights as a refugee
- Housing for Refugees Resource
- Stand Together Toolkit Muslims Refugees
- Young Children of Refugees Demography Report
Support for Ukrainian Families & Refugees
The City of San José organized the following information:
EMERGENCY AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
The Office of Senator Alex Padilla is currently providing humanitarian casework assistance if you or your immediate family have been affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and need humanitarian assistance, PLEASE COMPLETE THIS FORM. (Select “Citizenship and Immigration Services” under the “What Can I Assist You With?” menu) For any questions about how to complete the above form, please email the office: [email protected]
The American Red Cross is accepting cases for their Restoring Family Links program. If you have lost contact with a family member who is still within Ukraine, please contact Hawley Rising, American Red Cross Caseworker at 408-935-9760 or at [email protected] If you have lost contact with a family member who has fled Ukraine and are in a neighboring country, contact the Red Cross Restoring Family Links national helpline at 1-844-782-9441 or complete an inquiry form.
The United Nations Refugee Agency has set up dedicated websites for Ukrainian refugees who have fled to neighboring countries: Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and in any other country.
IMMIGRATION LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND INFORMATION
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that Ukraine has been designated for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months due to the invasion by Russia. To qualify, Ukrainian nationals must have continuously resided in the United States as of March 1, 2022, and must apply to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services within 180 days (until August 28, 2022). TPS applicants may also apply for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) allowing them to work lawfully in the United States. Every individual case is different and you are highly encouraged to schedule a consultation with a qualified immigration professional to help discuss the options that are available in your circumstances. If you are interested in finding immigration legal assistance for TPS or other immigration applications, you can search for providers HERE.
The Office of Racial Equity hosted an informational webinar on TPS for Ukrainians on March 9, 2022 - the webinar was recorded and available to watch Click HERE. For more resources please visit the dedicated Ukraine page on the Office of Racial Equity website.
Ukrainian nonimmigrant visa applicants may apply anywhere they are physically located & can schedule an appointment. Follow instructions on the respective embassy website to apply. Find a list of embassy websites here: www.usembassy.gov.
NEWS LINKS
Click HERE for information about Refugee Resettlement Service in Santa Clara County
Click HERE for NPR article on ways to help Afghanistan Refugees
Click HERE for Washington Post article on ways to help Afghanistan Refugees
Click HERE for United Nations Human Rights Commission report on Afghanistan
Click HERE for ABC7 Bay Area news coverage on ways to help Haiti
Click HERE for NBC Bay Area news coverage of Bay Area support for Ukraine