Fort McCoy In WI May Take In Afghan Refugees: Report

WISCONSIN — Fort McCoy, a U.S. Army installation between Sparta and Tomah, is preparing to take in refugees from Afghanistan in the aftermath of the collapse of the Afghan government and the Taliban's takeover in the country, according to a news report.

Fort McCoy confirmed Monday to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the base has been told it will be receiving special immigrant visa applicants. Fort McCoy didn't offer any details to Patch's inquiries.

The Department of Defense approved a request for the transport and housing for Afghan visa applicants and their families, department press secretary John Kirby told reporters at a news briefing.

Kirby confirmed that Fort Lee in Virginia would be used to house refugees, alongside two unnamed U.S. installations. The department will support 22,000 people with three facilities, which would take three to four weeks to prepare, Kirby said.

Local organizations such as Jewish Social Services of Madison, which is part of the U.S. refugee resettlement network, are preparing to help resettle refugees who may be coming to the Madison area, The Wisconsin State Journal reported.

See Also: Biden 'Squarely Behind' Decision To Leave Afghanistan: Replay