Announcement
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Salt Lake City has dedicated the past two years to helping over 600 Afghan evacuees resettle to Utah after fleeing upheaval in Afghanistan at the end of 2021. The IRC’s local team worked swiftly to provide initial services and care, focusing on emergency resettlement efforts then working toward positive integration for each family. This spring, one of the largest groups of Afghan evacuees graduated from IRC’s breadth of resettlement and extended case management programming—a key milestone to reaching self-sufficiency. In honor of the families, the IRC’s resettlement team held a graduation ceremony for the families and individuals with baklava, tea, and traditional Afghan music. It was a time of celebration as well as remembering the hard journey people took to come to the United States just two years ago.
The Hilal family is one among the many families who graduated from the IRC programs. Ayazudin and his wife came to the United States with their six kids. They remember packing their life into just four bags and escaping to the U.S. with $100 total in their pockets.
Meet the Hilal family. Pictured: six out of the nine family members.
Photo: James Roh
Ayazudin had served alongside United States military forces for three years as an interpreter. Ayazudin explained that he went on missions and grew deep relationships with his cohort. “My role as an interpreter was so important to me because I wanted my ‘brothers’ to go home back to their families just as bad as I wanted to go home to mine,” said Ayazudin.
As Ayazudin explained, he fought alongside his U.S. "brothers" in firefights against terrorist groups. There was one particular raid where he got shot at in his hands and his back, but he did not leave until he could guarantee his crew would be safe. Ayazudin noted that his courage and his heart for others earned him a medal as a mission essential personnel heart award. Receiving this medal from the United States Army was one of the biggest honors of his life. This medal would be the key to saving him and his family almost ten years later.
As the former Afghan government fell, Ayazudin knew that he and his family were not safe due to his work with the U.S. “I was so scared for myself and for my family. But we were the lucky ones. We got into the airport,” said Ayazudin. Ayazudin and his family were recognized due to the medal for his service, and they were able to evacuate the country. The Hilal family was finally on their path to safety.
Ayazudin and his family landed in Utah in October 2021. After arriving at the Salt Lake City airport, the IRC stepped in to support them through housing, employment, education, health appointments, and more. The IRC is focused on providing core services to families like the Hilal family as they build their lives here in Utah.
“This is like our second chance at life here.” said Ayazudin, “We feel so lucky to be here in Utah.”
Ayazudin and his wife with their 7th child in the family, who was born in Utah!
Photo: James Roh
A challenge that many people from Afghanistan have experienced in the U.S. is dealing with their immigration status. The majority of Afghan nationals arrived to the U.S. through humanitarian parolee status, which is a temporary status with limited access to benefits often provided to refugees and with no pathway to permanent residency or citizenship. The Hilal family has worked with the IRC’s immigration team to navigate the complex path to secure their asylum case: as asylees, the family would eventually be able to naturalize as U.S. citizens. They are excited to continue to build their lives in Utah as they work toward citizenship.
Since arriving in Utah, Ayazudin and his wife welcomed a baby girl into their family! Their children are enrolled in school and are getting a great education. Their family looks back on their time in Utah so far with a smile on their faces. “My kids are happy and safe here. We can go to parks, take our sons and daughters to school, and grow a community here. That is what makes me smile,” said Ayazudin.
The IRC is grateful for the support of our community in welcoming families like the Hilal’s and others that have come to Utah. With your continued support, the IRC in Salt Lake City can provide robust services to newly arrived families as they work hard to become self-sufficient.
Make a one-time gift or start a monthly contribution today to ensure this work continues at Rescue.org/GiveSLC »