Per the Department of Homeland Security:

On August 29, 2021, President Biden directed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to lead implementation of ongoing efforts across the federal government to support vulnerable Afghans, including those who worked alongside us in Afghanistan for the past two decades, as they safely resettle in the United States. These coordinated efforts will be known as Operation Allies Welcome. At the President’s direction, the Secretary of Homeland Security will work with representatives from across the government to coordinate our response and ensure unity of effort across the federal government.

At the President’s direction, DHS has stood up a Unified Coordination Group (UCG) to coordinate efforts under Operation Allies Welcome. The UCG will report directly to the Secretary of Homeland Security and will coordinate the implementation of a broad range of services, including initial immigration processing, COVID-19 testing, and isolation of COVID-positive individuals for anticipated quarantine, additional medical services, and screening and support for individuals who are neither U.S. citizens nor lawful permanent residents. This support includes initial processing of at predesignated U.S. military bases prior to being connected with resettlement organizations for placement into communities. The work of the UCG will be undertaken in close collaboration with partners in state and local government, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector.

To read the complete memo, including operational phases and details on the vetting process, click HERE.

Per the Department of Homeland Security:

Screening and Vetting Prior to Arrival in the United States The U.S. government is working around the clock to conduct the screening and vetting of vulnerable Afghans prior to their arrival in the United States, consistent with the dual goals of protecting national security and providing protection for vulnerable Afghans.

DHS has deployed approximately 300 personnel from Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Transportation Security Administration, United States Coast Guard, and United States Secret Service to Bahrain, Germany, Kuwait, Italy, Qatar, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates to conduct processing, screening, and vetting in coordination with the Departments of Defense and State and other federal agencies, with the goal of bringing to the United States Afghan nationals who worked for the United States, as well as other vulnerable Afghans.

The screening and vetting process involves biometric and biographic screenings conducted by intelligence, law enforcement, and counterterrorism professionals from the Departments of Homeland Security and Defense, as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), and additional Intelligence Community (IC) partners. The U.S. government has worked with urgency and care to enhance screening and vetting operations to make them more efficient without compromising national security. This has resulted in a robust interagency process that efficiently screens Afghans at risk prior to their travel to the United States. Additionally, the State Department has deployed staff to all Middle East and Europe transit points to provide humanitarian guidance and liaise with NGO partners and international organizations.

To read the complete memo, including operational phases and details on the vetting process, click HERE.

MWR = MORALE WELLNESS RECREATION

The role of Catholic Charities of Lacrosse is to support MWR by providing supplies and volunteers for wellness for those who are staying temporarily at the base. The military provides for all of the guests’ basic needs (food, shelter, etc). 

MWR activities at Fort McCoy include sewing centers, learning centers, mother/baby centers, and men's centers.

Volunteers are on-site to give the guests TIME and COMMITMENT. 


Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Dubuque resettled refugees for over 77 years, prior to our closure in 2018 due to federal limits on the number of refugees allowed into the US. However, we remain committed to assisting Afghan refugees in a number of ways. Our team of Immigration Attorneys will be assisting Afghan nationals with their legal processes once they arrive in the Archdiocese of Dubuque. Until this time, we are coordinating with local resettlement groups in Iowa and surrounding states to provide volunteer and financial support.

The Refugee Services at the Iowa Department of Human Services has FAQs available regarding the refugee resettlement process in the state of Iowa. Click HERE for more information on the resettlement process. 

• All volunteers are required to be vaccinated for COVID-19

• Masks are not required for volunteers

• COVID protocols follow the military processes and volunteers should be ready to adapt to updated pandemic guidelines. 

Catholic Charities LaCrosse has a donation link and registry for items to utilize for Afghan guests at Fort McCoy.  Necessary donation items in the link below have been vetted and verified by liaisons at Fort McCoy.

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Dubuque is not accepting donations for the Fort McCoy deployment. 

ALL ITEMS MUST BE NEW and purchased through the registry link below.

Click HERE to Donate