Image: An Afghan woman arrives at Dulles airport after fleeing the Taliban (Getty Images)
The Afghan community in the Twin Cities
Over the past few years, the Twin Cities has seen a rapid increase in the number of Afghan individuals. Leading up to 2021, the Twin Cities hosted a population of Afghan immigrants of around 300. Then, starting at the beginning of 2021, this number shot up, now standing at over 1,000. Following the United States withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan in August of 2021, the Islamic fundamentalist group The Taliban returned to power, reinstating strict control over the country. Under the harsh and life-threatening rule, thousands of Afghans fled their homes in an emergency evacuation with hopes of safety in the United States. This influx of Afghan refugees has been felt by the small existing Afghan community already settled in the Twin Cities and is the main reason behind the community’s newfound strength. In the heart of downtown Minneapolis, the Afghan Cultural Society is flourishing. They provide resettlement support, career and educational guidance, and healthcare resources to the Afghan community of the Twin Cities. The blocks surrounding this area have become a popular destination for incoming and established Afghan members, characterized by Afghan grocery stores, restaurants, and the spaces and resources provided by the Cultural Society.
Local Resources
Article from January 2, 2024 in the Sahan Journal about Minnesota’s Afghan community