University Of Maryland To Temporarily House Afghan Refugees

COLLEGE PARK, MD — The University of Maryland is working closely with an international nonprofit to provide refugee and evacuee families from Afghanistan temporary housing at its College Park campus.

“The University of Maryland is part of a global community, and when we have the opportunity to support humanity, we embrace it,” University of Maryland President Darryll J. Pines said in a news release. “We look forward to providing on-campus housing and being good neighbors to Afghan families. They are U.S. allies who have braved a terrifying situation, and we are happy that we can offer them a welcoming community as they seek permanent housing.”

According to the university, it has partnered with the International Rescue Committee to assist in the resettlement of Afghan humanitarian parolees, evacuated through Operation Allies Welcome, as well as Special Immigrant Visa holders - all of whom faced the risk of persecution and violence in Afghanistan due to their work alongside U.S. personnel in jobs such as translators, drivers and cultural advisers.

While higher education institutions have previously used nearby school-owned homes for refugees through programs such as Every Campus a Refuge, this is the first time a public university has used its own campus facilities for such a purpose, UMD officials said.

“Public education is really about public good,” said Patty Perillo, UMD’s vice president for student affairs. “We are creating the model here at Maryland. We are developing the structure and systems for others to carry forward, helping many more refugees in need.”

The International Rescue Committee responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, including the conflict in Ukraine and the crisis in Afghanistan. They help people survive, recover and rebuild their lives.

“Innovative community partnerships are key to ensuring that refugees settle in safely, securely, and with hope for the future. We are grateful for University of Maryland’s welcome of Afghan evacuees, which is reflective of our state’s broader welcoming spirit,” said Ruben Chandrasekar, Executive Director of the IRC in Maryland.

Over the next few weeks, the university said several families made up of two adults and children ranging from infants to teenagers will begin their stays for up to 12 months.

IRC will assist them in securing permanent housing, employment, counseling, education and social services to support their transition to the United States. The families underwent extensive U.S. government processing that included background checks and medical screenings, the university said.