2022 - Q4
Friends,
This newsletter is from Joe Mitchell of the Idaho Falls Bridge Builders, and is an update on refugees in Idaho Falls.
GMR
Currently there are three. Their names are withheld for their privacy and security, but their first names start with G,M, and R. They are working full-time as machine operators and enrolled full-time at College of Eastern Idaho.
The three men are members of the Hazara ethnic minority, which comprises about 10% of the population of Afghanistan. The Hazara are well-known for:
Having a high view of women, education, and women’s education
Being Shia Muslim (most others in Afghanistan are Sunni)
Often being allies of the US military presence from 2001-2021
Having distinctly different physical features from the other ethnic groups
Unsurprisingly, the Hazara are a particular target for persecution from the Taliban. In October I went with two of the men to Boise to support their asylum interviews with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services. Providing evidence that they have a “well-founded fear of persecution” is a milestone in achieving asylum and starting on the path to citizenship. It is also a prerequisite for a follow-to-join visa application for each man to be able to see his wife again. They have now been apart for more than 16 months. (The Afghan Adjustment Act, which has wide support from US veterans groups, would have streamlined this process. Disappointingly, it was not brought to a vote nor attached to the omnibus spending bill in the current session of Congress.)
The recent worldwide diaspora of Hazara has helped to bring attention to the historical genocide of 1892, as well as the modern genocide by the Taliban. When I asked GMR “What can I do to help?” they told me, “Let influential people know about Hazara genocide.” I replied, “You should see the email list for my newsletters! It is a who's-who of Southeast Idaho. I will bring it to their attention.”
GMR recommended an introduction to the topic; you can see it here:
Dr. Gregory H. Stanton, world's genocide expert on the Hazara genocide
Another good introduction (also in English) is here:
Hazara Genocide Memorial Day, 25th September || نسل کشی هزارها
The IFBB will continue to support GMR in any way we can. Refugee resettlement experts say that the biggest need is ongoing friendship in the new community. If you have met GMR, please reach out and let them know you haven’t forgotten them. If you don’t have their contact info let me know, and I can connect you.
All three men are wiring home part of their paychecks each month, to help their extended families make it through the winter hunger crisis in Afghanistan. If you would like to support them with financial assistance for their education that would ease their burden.
Ukrainians
Along with four friends, we have formed a second Sponsor Circle. This time we have been tentatively matched with a family who has been forced from their home by the war in Ukraine. Matching a Sponsor Circle with Ukrainian refugees requires some level of communication prior to their arrival. Communication has been hampered by power and internet outages in the temporary housing near Odessa where the family is located. We continue to hope that we can welcome them or a different family to Idaho Falls in early 2023.
Bridge Builders the nonprofit
In November I was privileged to give presentations titled “Refugees in Idaho Falls” to the Regional Council of Christian Ministries, and the Idaho Falls Civitans. We also joined GMR to meet with the leadership team at CEI. The people in these three groups have been generous supporters, and community-wide support has continued to exceed our hopes.
We will have the opportunity to give a short introduction to Bridge Builders at the 2023 Martin Luther King banquet, Thursday Jan 19, presented by the Idaho Falls African American Alliance. I think this annual banquet is the best community event in Idaho Falls and regardless of how interested you are in our 3 minute video, you should consider attending.
In February we will lead a workshop on Sponsor Circles at the Idaho Office of Refugees annual conference in Boise.
The Grace House
We have been very generously offered the use of a house on the numbered streets to benefit refugees. We are setting it up with two independent living units, on the main floor and basement. We have received donations of good quality couches, chairs, bookcases, beds, a refrigerator, a gas range, a kitchen table, coffee tables, washer/dryer, and kitchen furnishings. Christ Community Church organized ten people for a work day and the main floor is nearly move-in ready. Thank you! The only remaining items that we can use for the house are two beds and dressers, a small couch or loveseat that can fit down a twisty staircase, a stackable washer/dryer that can fit on a small landing, and a kitchen counter with sink that can fit down that twisty staircase.
Security note for GMR
To protect the privacy of GMR, and for the security of their families, please do not contact our local news media without GMR’s permission.
Joe Mitchell, Dec 20, Idaho Falls Bridge Builders - Our mission is to assist legal refugees who choose to relocate to Idaho Falls, and to assist the community in welcoming them.