The current process involves initial stops in places like Italy and Germany. Once screened there, refugees are flown to Air Force bases in places like Texas, Wisconsin, New Jersey and Virginia.
Then, a number of factors determine where in the U.S. they will be resettled. Generally, refugees would come to a place like Missouri due to having family or friends in the area.
"The state department is working very hard to determine where people have relatives or close family connections," says Missouri state refugee coordinator Paul Costigan. "That will make a more successful resettlement process for those families."
Costigan explained how Afghan refugees will make their way to Missouri and what kind of assistance they'll receive once they arrive.
- Paul Costigan, Missouri state refugee coordinator for the Missouri Office of Refugee Administration, International Institute of St. Louis
