October 01, 2021

In Chicago, Duckworth Highlights Importance of Welcoming Afghan Allies And Partners Who Assisted US Mission

 

[CHICAGO, IL] – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years, today met with leaders of several Chicago-area organizations focused on the efforts to resettle Afghan partners and allies who sacrificed for the United States’ mission in Afghanistan. Duckworth met with Heartland Alliance Human Care, Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago, Catholic Charities of Chicago, RefugeeOne, World Relief and the Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago to discuss the importance of our communities welcoming these brave Afghans to their new home. A photo from today’s meeting is available here.

“Our Afghan allies and partners did their part for us, time and again, for two decades half a world away,” Duckworth said. “When they begin to resettle here in Illinois, in Chicago, we must do our part for them, too. It is our duty—as neighbors, friends, Americans—to welcome these brave Afghans and help settle them into their new homes.”

Over the coming weeks and months, Illinois is expected to receive more than 800 resettled Afghan allies in the first group of evacuees. Earlier this month, Duckworth met with organizations in the Quad Cities working to resettle Afghan allies, as well as with State of Illinois officials to discuss how Illinois is supporting the resettlement of Afghan allies and partners across the state. Duckworth also recently penned an op-ed in the Chicago Sun-Times on why we must help these Afghan allies and partners coming to the U.S.

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