"You Are Welcome Here": EMU's Afghan Resettlement Oral History Project

After the United States Military withdrew from Afghanistan and the Taliban gained control of the country in the summer of 2021, the safety of Afghan families who had assisted the US Military was threatened, causing thousands to flee and seek refuge elsewhere. In December 2021, Eastern Michigan University (EMU) partnered with Jewish Family Services (JFS) of Washtenaw County to provide on-campus housing for a dozen Afghan families who arrived in Michigan as humanitarian parolees. With the support of EMU administrators, Student Government, and the dedicated staff at JFS, these families were moved into the old Westview apartments, where they lived from January to June 2022. This oral history project explores the stories and impacts of EMU's partnership with JFS, highlighting EMU's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and civic engagement with the international community.