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Afghan refugees fleeing Taliban to be housed at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst

Thousands of Afghan refugees fleeing the Taliban could soon be arriving in New Jersey. Officials say that they will be housed at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

News 12 Staff

Aug 24, 2021, 11:44 AM

Updated 1,242 days ago

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Thousands of Afghan refugees fleeing the Taliban could soon be arriving in New Jersey. Officials say that they will be housed at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.
A senior Biden administration official said Tuesday afternoon that the total number of refugees is still being ironed out, but they're expecting 25,000 people to come to the United States. Officials would not say if the refugees have already arrived.
After the refugees leave the airport in Kabul, they are taking to countries in Europe and Asia. There they will receive security screenings. American citizens and Green Card-holders will be allowed to leave.
From there, Gov. Phil Murphy says the refugees will go to Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C. as their entry point into the U.S. Murphy says that only then will they be brought to the Joint Base. They will live in on-base housing until they can be resettled in the United States.
The Biden administration official says that when refugees get to the U.S., they'll be tested again for COVID-19 and get a full medical screening and health checks, including psychological for those traumatized by the war. They will then get potential help traveling to relatives and be connected with refugee resettlement organizations.
It was unclear how long the refugees will stay on the base. But officials say that some will cycle out as others cycle in.
More refugees will be housed at military bases in Texas, Wisconsin and Virginia.