Afghan refugees could arrive in Utah within the next few weeks

Logan, Utah — According to Governor Spencer Cox, refugees fleeing the situation in Afghanistan could arrive in Utah within the next few weeks.

The state is ready to help resettle families, the governor, who was in Logan touring the Cache Valley Refugee and Immigration Center, said.

The state has been in coordination with refugee resettlement agencies and the White House about when to expect them and how many.

“We’ll probably get just a few families first because that vetting process will take a period of time but they know we’re willing and able when they’re available,” he said.

According to the governor, he was in Cache County because it is an area where refugees have settled because of the ability to get employment. The state of Utah has historically been a welcoming place for refugees. Mormon pioneers settled in Utah after they had been driven out of their homes in the Midwest.

Gov. Cox personally wrote a letter to President Biden asking to have Afghan refugees settled in the state.

The governor urged Utahns to donate to refugee service agencies after visiting with people at CRIC in Logan. The executive director of Utah’s Department of Workforce Services, Casey Cameron, said Utahns have been stepping up. The agency is responsible for a lot of refugee services the state provides.

“We’ve had a lot of people reach out wanting to donate condos, wanting to donate money, beds whatever support they can,” she said.