Pierce County Council Shows Solidarity With Afghan Refugees

TACOMA, WA — The United States is preparing to receive potentially thousands of Afghan refugees as the country works to evacuate citizens fleeing Afghanistan following the collapse of its government to Taliban forces.

If and when they arrive, Pierce County wants residents to greet Afghan refugees with open arms. At their regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday, the Pierce County Council made a rare unanimous decision, coming together as one in support of a resolution welcoming refugees to Pierce County.

"Grateful to see our whole Council speaking with one voice on this," wrote Council Chair Derek Young on Twitter following the vote. "Pierce County has provided refuge for people fleeing conflict before, and we're happy to do it again, particularly given the connection our veteran community has with the Afghan people."

The resolution reads, in part:

"Pierce County welcomes all who seek freedom and refuge from the oppressive Taliban regime and invites the Pierce County community to volunteer through Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Services and other programs to help our new neighbors find affordable housing, employment, food and mentorship to help them transition into our community in their new home country."

Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Services, or LIRS, is a faith-based organization that has helped welcome more than 500,000 refugees and immigrants unto the United States over the past 80 years.

"We know how generous the people of Pierce County are," said Councilmember Ryan Mello, who went on to urge residents to volunteer to help out.

Others, like Councilmember Hans Zeiger, noted that Pierce County has a long history of welcoming refugees, like in 1975 when the county supported escapees from Vietnam and Cambodia.

"It's been heartbreaking to see what has unfolded in Afghanistan over the last couple of days," Zeiger said.

Just last week, LIRS and Lutheran Community Services Northwest helped settle 24 Afghans with special immigrant visas in Washington, the News Tribune reported.

Many more are likely incoming. More than 6,000 troops are being moved to secure Kabul's international airport as thousands of evacuees try to flee the country. The White House aims to help between 5,000 and 9,000 escape each day, the Associated Press reported. The Taliban has also reportedly said it will allow "safe passage" from Afghanistan to those who are trying to escape through the airport.

A viral video of a plane leaving the airport Monday also has ties to Washington: the plane, which carried more than 800 evacuees from the airport in its first flight, is part of a Joint Base Lewis-McChord Air Force unit from Washington state.