A Surge in Afghan Refugees
The excellent Sahan Journal reports a recent three-fold increase in Afghan refugees landing in Minnesota, and states that even that is an underestimate.
According to the Journal, “In 2018, 332 people in Minnesota reported being born in Afghanistan, a number that stayed fairly consistent for several years. But by 2022, that number jumped to 1,107 people.
“The Minnesota Department of Human Services reported that even more Afghans are living in Minnesota than the Census Bureau reports. More than 1,300 evacuees came to Minnesota between September 2021 and September 2022, according to the department.”
Not surprisingly, it’s a tough transition for refugees who have been ripped out of their communities halfway across the world. The Sahan Journal piece details the struggles of individuals and the programming offered by the Afghan Cultural Society. The story is well worth a look for organizations bracing for the next wave of arrivals.