St. Louis (KMOX) -- St. Louisans can expect to see some refugees from Afghanistan arriving in town sooner than later. St. Louis County and the city of St. Louis announced they are prepared to welcome at least 1,000 refugees to the area.
The fall of Afghanistan means those who helped the United States over the years have to flee for their lives. Some will wind up in Missouri.
St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones and St. Louis County Executive Sam Page released a joint statement Tuesday saying they are “ready, willing, and prepared to lead the nation in inviting these Afghan SIV holders to our community." SIV is the Special Immigrant Visa program, in which the U.S. Department of Defense confirmed that it is in the process of evacuating at least 20,000 Afghan citizens.
“This plan is consistent with our collective goal to build a more welcoming and inclusive St. Louis region, no matter where they come from or any identity they hold,” the statement said.
You can read the full statement, here:
Arrey Obenson, CEO of the International Institute of St. Louis, asks the community to be welcoming.
"The only reason their lives are at stake is because they stood by the United States. They provided support, live-saving support sometimes, to the U.S. military," Obenson said.
Obenson says they don't know how many refugees will come here, but he does say it will be a long process to acclamate these refugees to American life.
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And that's why they have to leave their home country.
Cori Bush (D-St. Louis) posted on Twitter that she also believes it's the United States' duty to welcome refugees.
Pentagon officials said Tuesday that the U.S. military is coordinating with the Taliban while accelerating the airlift of Americans and Afghan allies from the Kabul airport, according to the Associated Press.
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