About Minnesota's Resettlement of Afghan Refugees
Since mid-2021, over 74,000 Afghans have been evacuated to the United States through the federal Operation Allies Welcome program. These evacuation efforts support Afghans, including those who worked alongside U.S. personnel in Afghanistan for the past two decades. As these Afghan evacuees begin to resettle in our state, they represent our newest and most vulnerable Asian Pacific Minnesotans.
The Minnesota-based Afghan resettlement response is being led by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS)
Resettlement Program. DHS is working closely with local agencies funded by the federal government and has developed a task force with representatives from counties and other state agencies to assist with the response. In addition to the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans, other agencies participating in the task force include the departments of Health (MDH), Education (MDE), Employment and Economic Development (DEED), and the Minnesota Council on Disability (MCD).
