The University of Maryland announced it will provide temporary housing for refugee and evacuee families from Afghanistan as part of a partnership with the International Rescue Committee.
UMD’s resettlement approach is a first for public universities, according to a Tuesday statement released by the school.
Afghan humanitarian parolees and special immigrant visa holders are among those included in the proposal, the statement read.
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Other universities have worked with the committee to allocate a place for refugee students, but UMD will be the first to provide space for Afghan families on its university campus, according to the statement.
“The University of Maryland is part of a global community, and when we have the opportunity to support humanity, we embrace it,” University of Maryland President Darryll Pines said.
“We look forward to providing on-campus housing and being good neighbors to Afghan families. They are U.S. allies who have braved a terrifying situation, and we are happy that we can offer them a welcoming community as they seek permanent housing.”
Public education is about providing for the public good, according to UMD Vice President for Student Affairs Patty Perillo.
“We are creating the model here at Maryland. We are developing the structure and systems for others to carry forward, helping many more refugees in need,” Perillo said.
The program is set to begin in the coming weeks, with families of two adults and children starting their up to 12-month stay, the statement read.
While at UMD, the committee will offer assistance to the families through housing, counseling, employment, education, and social services, according to the university.
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All families involved in the program have undergone “extensive U.S. government processing that included background checks and medical screenings,” the statement read.
