In a letter to President Biden on Wednesday, Colorado Governor Jared Polis made it clear that Colorado is willing to open its arms to welcome the resettlement of Afghan nationals and their families and special immigrant visa (SIV) holders, who have helped the U.S. military over the past 20 years, and who now fear for their lives in the Taliban-controlled country.
Many countries are taking Afghan refugees, not just the U.S.: Uganda, Greece, Turkey, France, Great Britain, and Germany among many others. Photo by the New Humanitarian.
He pointed out that Colorado is home to a rich and diverse immigrant community which is key to our economic resilience and success. In fact, unless a Colorado resident is a member of a Native American tribe such as the Ute, the Arapahoe or Cheyenne, their family came here from somewhere else too.
“In Colorado, our state and local communities are proud partners in global humanitarian and refugee resettlement efforts, and Colorado has long partnered with the federal government to play our part,” he wrote. “Our veteran community knows the value of the role these Afghans played overseas, and our greater Colorado community shares with you the American values of humanitarianism and compassion. Colorado stands ready to receive Afghan refugees. Please advise on how Colorado can assist.”
Earlier this year, Polis sent President Biden a letter encouraging the Biden Administration to rescue Afghans who cooperated with American forces and therefore face increased threats and fear for their future under the Taliban, and to increase the number of refugees and SIV holders that the United States resettles to account for the urgent and increased need out of Afghanistan.”
In 2019, Governor Polis launched the New Americans Initiative which focuses on Colorado’s new American populations to ensure new Americans have the opportunity to thrive in our communities. He followed that in 2021 by signing HB 21-1154 codifying the work into an Office of New Americans.
Bloomberg News, one of the nation’s premier business and economic news sources, recently published a new article explaining that Afghan Refugees are No economic Threat to Americans.
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