Fort McCoy Could Take In Thousands Of Afghan Refugees: Report

WISCONSIN — Wisconsin could see hundreds or thousands of Afghan refugees go to Fort McCoy, a U.S. Army installation near Tomah, as people evacuate Afghanistan, and the Taliban regains control of the country.

Gov. Tony Evers (D) said that hundreds and up to 2,000 people could arrive in Wisconsin. He didn't have a firm count of how many would come, WKOW reported.

Wisconsin would welcome any refugees who needed resettlement, and the state has plenty of organizations to help house those in need, Evers said at a news conference.

About 2,000 people, including 325 American citizens, were evacuated from Afghanistan in 18 flights in the last 24 hours, the Pentagon told The Associated Press.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin authorized Fort McCoy, Fort Bliss in Texas and Fort Lee in Virginia to help house up to 22,000 special immigrant visa applicants, Department of Defense press secretary John Kirby said at a press briefing.

The department approved a request for the transport and housing of Afghan visa applicants and their families, Kirby said Monday.

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