For many Afghans who have arrived in the United States in recent years, building a new life involves more than finding housing, work, or schools for their children. A less visible challenge is learning how to participate in the civic life of their new communities.<\/p>\n
In the United States\u2019 local governance system, residents can attend school meetings, city council sessions, and other public gatherings; raise concerns; learn about services; and sometimes influence decisions. But for many Afghan immigrants, such participation is unfamiliar and often accompanied by hesitation and fear.<\/p>\n
Community leaders in California say three main barriers shape Afghan immigrants\u2019 civic participation: limited English proficiency, a lack of familiarity with local government structures, and fear of interacting with public institutions.<\/p>\n
Jafar Wahedi, head of the nonprofit Afghan Hope Association in California, said many immigrants still carry the belief that their voices will not be heard in public institutions.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany still think that, like in Afghanistan, no one will listen to them or that they won\u2019t even have the opportunity to meet officials,\u201d he said. \u201cBut the system here is different.\u201d<\/p>\n
That perception, he said, causes some families to hesitate even to attend school meetings or local community sessions.<\/p>\n
\n