Waves Of Afghan Refugees Are Arriving In The U.S. Here's Some Help They Can Expect

Tens of thousands of Afghans who helped American forces over the two-decades-long war are now arriving in the U.S. as refugees, following what, for many, has been a harrowing escape from the Taliban-controlled country as it erupts into more violence.

Most will start the new American chapter of their lives at military installations scattered across the U.S. where they'll be vetted before moving on to more permanent destinations. That includes Texas, which has become one of several hubs for refugees who've been granted special immigration visas for working with the U.S. in Afghanistan.

The sudden influx means resettlement agencies across Texas and elsewhere, are rushing to secure housing, schooling, groceries and furniture for the new arrivals.

Marisol Girela is the associate vice president for social programs for RAICES, an organization that helps refugees resettle in San Antonio, Texas.

"We've seen a very dramatic increase in the amount of people that we have been seeing since the start of the crisis in July and now August," Girela told NPR.

She said that so far this week, RAICES has resettled six families. "That's about 20 people," Girela estimates, adding that by the end of August, the agency will have helped 60 people begin the transition into their new lives. July was the same, she said.

"We do see some single people, usually men, who get here through the [special immigrant visa] program, but for the most part, we help families," Girela said.

It's been a heavy lift for the organization, which is the smaller of two resettlement agencies in San Antonio.