(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — In the next week or so, the largest resettlement agency in Chicago is expecting some of the city's first group of Afghan immigrants since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.
"We'll be welcoming two or three couples within the next week or two from Afghanistan to Chicago," said Jims Porter, spokesman for the not-for-profit organization Refugee One.
No children are expected among the arriving refugees. He said this first group most likely applied for Special Immigrant Visas, or SIVs, before the Taliban took power.
People can help the Afghans by identifying employment opportunities, he said.
Porter said Refugee One will provide English classes and other programs to help them re-settle.
"We've actually had a really generous outpouring of support from the community — individuals reaching out to volunteer. So much that our volunteer orientations are actually filled up through the end of November."
Porter said people can also help by encouraging lawmakers to expand protections for Afghan allies and their families.
