AFGH – Extended Family – April 25, 2022

Key messages

• Canada recognizes that extended family members face an increased risk of being targeted by the Taliban due to their relationship with the former interpreters.
• We value the contributions of former interpreters and other Afghan nationals who worked alongside us to improve security and to promote democracy and human rights.
• This is why we created a special family reunification program which launched on December 9, 2021, to help extended family members of former Afghan interpreters who came to Canada under programs in 2009 and 2012.
• There has been significant uptake on this program thus far, with 980 vulnerable afghans (persons) having passed the completeness check to date.
• We are meeting with this group on a regular basis to apprise them of our progress. However, the majority of this population remains in Afghanistan, and work in resettling them to Canada continues to be complex.

Supplementary messages

Why Extended Family of Formerly Resettled Interpreters?

• Approximately 300 Afghan interpreters along with their immediate family members came to Canada under two public policies in 2009 and 2012.
• Stakeholders and advocacy groups raised concerns that those who have been unable to flee Afghanistan may be targeted by the Taliban, while others who have fled may be at risk of being forced to return.
• The vast majority still resides in Afghanistan. It is likely that they face an increased risk due to their relationship to the former interpreters.

How the process works

• Extended family members can apply directly, or with the help of an in-Canada family member.
• Clients will be able to access federally funded settlement services available to all permanent residents in Canada.

Supporting facts and figures

• 980 vulnerable afghans (persons) are passed the completeness check and are being processed.
• Over 200 applications have now passed eligibility
• No (0) applications have been approved to date.
• No (0) people have arrived to date in Canada under this public policy.

Background

• [Redacted].
• Extended family members – including adult children, parents, grandparents, grandchildren, and siblings – of former Afghan interpreters who came to Canada under programs in 2009 and 2012 are eligible to apply under the family reunification program.