U.S. Reps. Gwen Moore and Ilhan Omar praised conditions for the nearly 13,000 Afghan refugees housed at Fort McCoy, commending the state of medical care and vetting at the military base in western Wisconsin during a visit Saturday.
Moore, of Milwaukee, and Omar, of Minnesota, detailed their tour of the base alongside members of the Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition, who brought a truckload of new clothes to donate to the Afghans currently housed at the base. The congresswomen had previously called for an investigation into conditions at the base after reports of neglect and mistreatment.
The Wisconsin State Journal reported earlier this month that many refugees had not received new sets of clothes, with women facing harassment by Afghan men at the base. An official with the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the refugees at the base, has said those problems have since been addressed.
“It was for us an interest in doing our oversight work as members of Congress, to try to see what was actually happening here in the military base of Fort McCoy,” said Omar.
The Wisconsin State Journal reported earlier this month that many refugees had not received new sets of clothes, with women facing harassment by Afghan men at the base. An official with the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the refugees at the base, has said those problems have since been addressed.
The congresswomen, both Democrats, also rebuked criticism of refugee vetting made by Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, of Oshkosh, who said the base was a national security concern after two Afghan men were charged in federal court for separate incidents of alleged assault and sexual abuse of children.
“I know there are a lot of people who are fearmongering for political reasons, but these are probably the safest neighbors we can have in our communities,” Omar said.
“We really did not run into criminals,” Moore said.
![Clothing truck](https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/e/2a/e2a5f5a5-63f0-5e05-a44f-ba6ed9338668/614faf9e04d6c.image.jpg?resize=150%2C99 150w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/e/2a/e2a5f5a5-63f0-5e05-a44f-ba6ed9338668/614faf9e04d6c.image.jpg?resize=200%2C133 200w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/e/2a/e2a5f5a5-63f0-5e05-a44f-ba6ed9338668/614faf9e04d6c.image.jpg?resize=225%2C149 225w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/e/2a/e2a5f5a5-63f0-5e05-a44f-ba6ed9338668/614faf9e04d6c.image.jpg?resize=300%2C199 300w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/e/2a/e2a5f5a5-63f0-5e05-a44f-ba6ed9338668/614faf9e04d6c.image.jpg?resize=400%2C265 400w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/e/2a/e2a5f5a5-63f0-5e05-a44f-ba6ed9338668/614faf9e04d6c.image.jpg?resize=540%2C358 540w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/e/2a/e2a5f5a5-63f0-5e05-a44f-ba6ed9338668/614faf9e04d6c.image.jpg?resize=640%2C424 640w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/e/2a/e2a5f5a5-63f0-5e05-a44f-ba6ed9338668/614faf9e04d6c.image.jpg?resize=750%2C497 750w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/e/2a/e2a5f5a5-63f0-5e05-a44f-ba6ed9338668/614faf9e04d6c.image.jpg?resize=990%2C656 990w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/e/2a/e2a5f5a5-63f0-5e05-a44f-ba6ed9338668/614faf9e04d6c.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C686 1035w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/e/2a/e2a5f5a5-63f0-5e05-a44f-ba6ed9338668/614faf9e04d6c.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C795 1200w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/e/2a/e2a5f5a5-63f0-5e05-a44f-ba6ed9338668/614faf9e04d6c.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C883 1333w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/e/2a/e2a5f5a5-63f0-5e05-a44f-ba6ed9338668/614faf9e04d6c.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C978 1476w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/e/2a/e2a5f5a5-63f0-5e05-a44f-ba6ed9338668/614faf9e04d6c.image.jpg?resize=1769%2C1172 2008w)
Brig. Gen. Chris Norrie with Task Force Fort McCoy speaks with Shawn Payne of the Milwaukee Islamic Dawah Center beside a shipment of donated clothes for the nearly 13,000 Afghan refugees housed at Fort McCoy on Saturday.
LUCAS ROBINSON, STATE JOURNAL
The clothing donated on Saturday included winter coats, gloves and hats, sorely needed by the refugees as cold weather fast approaches in Wisconsin.
One member of the Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition, Inshirah Farhoud, said many refugees they met at the base had yet to receive unused clothing.
While at the base, which is about 40 miles east of La Crosse, the congresswomen were briefed by State Department and Homeland Security officials and later toured refugee facilities. Moore said that 24/7 medical care was available at the base, noting that cases of measles at the base had been treated and that other refugees with medical conditions had been taken to area hospitals.
“The number of people who are falling ill is diminishing every single day, which tells us this community is becoming more and more healthy,” Moore remarked.
The House of Representatives authorized more than $6 billion for Afghan resettlement earlier this week, which includes a new timeline for the refugees to claim asylum. At the base Saturday, Moore said that Afghans are expected to begin resettling in the United States around Thanksgiving.
Photos: Afghan refugees at Wisconsin’s Fort McCoy receive clothing donations
Fort McCoy donations
![Fort McCoy donations](https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/f9/df9d9881-abe0-5bae-a17a-7ec40748ad79/6138e2ef8c6ff.image.jpg?resize=150%2C100 150w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/f9/df9d9881-abe0-5bae-a17a-7ec40748ad79/6138e2ef8c6ff.image.jpg?resize=200%2C133 200w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/f9/df9d9881-abe0-5bae-a17a-7ec40748ad79/6138e2ef8c6ff.image.jpg?resize=225%2C150 225w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/f9/df9d9881-abe0-5bae-a17a-7ec40748ad79/6138e2ef8c6ff.image.jpg?resize=300%2C200 300w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/f9/df9d9881-abe0-5bae-a17a-7ec40748ad79/6138e2ef8c6ff.image.jpg?resize=400%2C267 400w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/f9/df9d9881-abe0-5bae-a17a-7ec40748ad79/6138e2ef8c6ff.image.jpg?resize=540%2C360 540w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/f9/df9d9881-abe0-5bae-a17a-7ec40748ad79/6138e2ef8c6ff.image.jpg?resize=640%2C427 640w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/f9/df9d9881-abe0-5bae-a17a-7ec40748ad79/6138e2ef8c6ff.image.jpg?resize=750%2C500 750w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/f9/df9d9881-abe0-5bae-a17a-7ec40748ad79/6138e2ef8c6ff.image.jpg?resize=990%2C660 990w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/f9/df9d9881-abe0-5bae-a17a-7ec40748ad79/6138e2ef8c6ff.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C690 1035w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/f9/df9d9881-abe0-5bae-a17a-7ec40748ad79/6138e2ef8c6ff.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C800 1200w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/f9/df9d9881-abe0-5bae-a17a-7ec40748ad79/6138e2ef8c6ff.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C888 1333w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/f9/df9d9881-abe0-5bae-a17a-7ec40748ad79/6138e2ef8c6ff.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C984 1476w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/f9/df9d9881-abe0-5bae-a17a-7ec40748ad79/6138e2ef8c6ff.image.jpg?resize=1763%2C1175 2008w)
Three Afghan evacuees look thorough women’s pants at a donation facility run by U.S. Soldiers and civilians at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, Sept. 7, 2021. Led by Team Rubicon, several local nonprofits are accepting clothing and other donations for the refugees. Many evacuees have arrived with only one set of clothing.
SPC. RHIANNA BALLENGER, U.S. ARMYFort McCoy donations
![Fort McCoy donations](https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/33/133934d2-7751-51e3-be58-1f0cbd349e2a/6138e2edee0e7.image.jpg?resize=150%2C225 150w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/33/133934d2-7751-51e3-be58-1f0cbd349e2a/6138e2edee0e7.image.jpg?resize=200%2C300 200w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/33/133934d2-7751-51e3-be58-1f0cbd349e2a/6138e2edee0e7.image.jpg?resize=225%2C338 225w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/33/133934d2-7751-51e3-be58-1f0cbd349e2a/6138e2edee0e7.image.jpg?resize=300%2C450 300w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/33/133934d2-7751-51e3-be58-1f0cbd349e2a/6138e2edee0e7.image.jpg?resize=400%2C600 400w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/33/133934d2-7751-51e3-be58-1f0cbd349e2a/6138e2edee0e7.image.jpg?resize=540%2C810 540w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/33/133934d2-7751-51e3-be58-1f0cbd349e2a/6138e2edee0e7.image.jpg?resize=640%2C960 640w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/33/133934d2-7751-51e3-be58-1f0cbd349e2a/6138e2edee0e7.image.jpg?resize=750%2C1125 750w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/33/133934d2-7751-51e3-be58-1f0cbd349e2a/6138e2edee0e7.image.jpg?resize=990%2C1485 990w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/33/133934d2-7751-51e3-be58-1f0cbd349e2a/6138e2edee0e7.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C1553 1035w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/33/133934d2-7751-51e3-be58-1f0cbd349e2a/6138e2edee0e7.image.jpg?resize=1175%2C1763 1200w)
An Afghan evacuee holds up a pair of donated children’s pants to see if they will fit her child at a donation facility at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin Sept. 7, 2021. Fort McCoy is one of eight U.S. military bases that will temporarily house vulnerable Afghans who have fled Afghanistan after the recent collapse of the government to the Taliban.
SPC. RHIANNA BALLENGER, U.S. ARMYFort McCoy donations
![Fort McCoy donations](https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/00/200c6ca3-5cd5-5093-a6f0-585e611e0e04/6138e2ed032cd.image.jpg?resize=150%2C133 150w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/00/200c6ca3-5cd5-5093-a6f0-585e611e0e04/6138e2ed032cd.image.jpg?resize=200%2C178 200w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/00/200c6ca3-5cd5-5093-a6f0-585e611e0e04/6138e2ed032cd.image.jpg?resize=225%2C200 225w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/00/200c6ca3-5cd5-5093-a6f0-585e611e0e04/6138e2ed032cd.image.jpg?resize=300%2C267 300w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/00/200c6ca3-5cd5-5093-a6f0-585e611e0e04/6138e2ed032cd.image.jpg?resize=400%2C356 400w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/00/200c6ca3-5cd5-5093-a6f0-585e611e0e04/6138e2ed032cd.image.jpg?resize=540%2C480 540w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/00/200c6ca3-5cd5-5093-a6f0-585e611e0e04/6138e2ed032cd.image.jpg?resize=640%2C569 640w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/00/200c6ca3-5cd5-5093-a6f0-585e611e0e04/6138e2ed032cd.image.jpg?resize=750%2C667 750w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/00/200c6ca3-5cd5-5093-a6f0-585e611e0e04/6138e2ed032cd.image.jpg?resize=990%2C880 990w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/00/200c6ca3-5cd5-5093-a6f0-585e611e0e04/6138e2ed032cd.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C920 1035w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/00/200c6ca3-5cd5-5093-a6f0-585e611e0e04/6138e2ed032cd.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C1067 1200w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/00/200c6ca3-5cd5-5093-a6f0-585e611e0e04/6138e2ed032cd.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C1185 1333w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/00/200c6ca3-5cd5-5093-a6f0-585e611e0e04/6138e2ed032cd.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C1313 1476w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/00/200c6ca3-5cd5-5093-a6f0-585e611e0e04/6138e2ed032cd.image.jpg?resize=1526%2C1357 2008w)
Afghan evacuees look through shoes at a donation facility run by U.S. Soldiers and civilians at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin Sept. 7, 2021. Led by Team Rubicon, several local nonprofits are accepting clothing and other donations for the refugees. Many evacuees have arrived with only one set of clothing.
SPC. RHIANNA BALLENGER, U.S. ARMYFort McCoy donations
![Fort McCoy donations](https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/c/e6/ce6828a6-d43f-5d52-9d4c-262eefad19c4/6138e2f059a40.image.jpg?resize=150%2C100 150w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/c/e6/ce6828a6-d43f-5d52-9d4c-262eefad19c4/6138e2f059a40.image.jpg?resize=200%2C133 200w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/c/e6/ce6828a6-d43f-5d52-9d4c-262eefad19c4/6138e2f059a40.image.jpg?resize=225%2C150 225w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/c/e6/ce6828a6-d43f-5d52-9d4c-262eefad19c4/6138e2f059a40.image.jpg?resize=300%2C200 300w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/c/e6/ce6828a6-d43f-5d52-9d4c-262eefad19c4/6138e2f059a40.image.jpg?resize=400%2C267 400w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/c/e6/ce6828a6-d43f-5d52-9d4c-262eefad19c4/6138e2f059a40.image.jpg?resize=540%2C360 540w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/c/e6/ce6828a6-d43f-5d52-9d4c-262eefad19c4/6138e2f059a40.image.jpg?resize=640%2C427 640w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/c/e6/ce6828a6-d43f-5d52-9d4c-262eefad19c4/6138e2f059a40.image.jpg?resize=750%2C500 750w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/c/e6/ce6828a6-d43f-5d52-9d4c-262eefad19c4/6138e2f059a40.image.jpg?resize=990%2C660 990w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/c/e6/ce6828a6-d43f-5d52-9d4c-262eefad19c4/6138e2f059a40.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C690 1035w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/c/e6/ce6828a6-d43f-5d52-9d4c-262eefad19c4/6138e2f059a40.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C800 1200w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/c/e6/ce6828a6-d43f-5d52-9d4c-262eefad19c4/6138e2f059a40.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C888 1333w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/c/e6/ce6828a6-d43f-5d52-9d4c-262eefad19c4/6138e2f059a40.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C984 1476w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/c/e6/ce6828a6-d43f-5d52-9d4c-262eefad19c4/6138e2f059a40.image.jpg?resize=1763%2C1175 2008w)
An Afghan evacuee examines a piece of clothing covered with butterflies and trees at a donation facility run by U.S. Soldiers and civilians at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin Sept. 7, 2021. The Department of Defense is providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening, and general support for at least 50,000 Afghan refugees fleeing from Afghanistan after the collapse of the country’s government to the Taliban.
SPC. RHIANNA BALLENGER, U.S. ARMYFort McCoy donations
![Fort McCoy donations](https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/ad/0ad8cb9a-f312-5659-9158-21c44f9b7721/6138e2eeae253.image.jpg?resize=150%2C225 150w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/ad/0ad8cb9a-f312-5659-9158-21c44f9b7721/6138e2eeae253.image.jpg?resize=200%2C300 200w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/ad/0ad8cb9a-f312-5659-9158-21c44f9b7721/6138e2eeae253.image.jpg?resize=225%2C337 225w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/ad/0ad8cb9a-f312-5659-9158-21c44f9b7721/6138e2eeae253.image.jpg?resize=300%2C450 300w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/ad/0ad8cb9a-f312-5659-9158-21c44f9b7721/6138e2eeae253.image.jpg?resize=400%2C600 400w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/ad/0ad8cb9a-f312-5659-9158-21c44f9b7721/6138e2eeae253.image.jpg?resize=540%2C810 540w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/ad/0ad8cb9a-f312-5659-9158-21c44f9b7721/6138e2eeae253.image.jpg?resize=640%2C960 640w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/ad/0ad8cb9a-f312-5659-9158-21c44f9b7721/6138e2eeae253.image.jpg?resize=750%2C1125 750w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/ad/0ad8cb9a-f312-5659-9158-21c44f9b7721/6138e2eeae253.image.jpg?resize=990%2C1485 990w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/ad/0ad8cb9a-f312-5659-9158-21c44f9b7721/6138e2eeae253.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C1552 1035w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/ad/0ad8cb9a-f312-5659-9158-21c44f9b7721/6138e2eeae253.image.jpg?resize=1175%2C1762 1200w)
U.S. Army Sgt. Brandon Boriboun folds clothing for Afghan evacuees at a donation facility run by U.S. Soldiers and civilians at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, Sept. 7, 2021. Led by Team Rubicon, several local nonprofits are accepting clothing and other donations for the refugees. Many evacuees have arrived with only one set of clothing.
SPC. RHIANNA BALLENGER, U.S. ARMYFort McCoy donations
![Fort McCoy donations](https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/d7/0d72cc64-c1d1-5784-8b01-24919a1b8f53/6138e2f1330d9.image.jpg?resize=150%2C225 150w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/d7/0d72cc64-c1d1-5784-8b01-24919a1b8f53/6138e2f1330d9.image.jpg?resize=200%2C300 200w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/d7/0d72cc64-c1d1-5784-8b01-24919a1b8f53/6138e2f1330d9.image.jpg?resize=225%2C338 225w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/d7/0d72cc64-c1d1-5784-8b01-24919a1b8f53/6138e2f1330d9.image.jpg?resize=300%2C450 300w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/d7/0d72cc64-c1d1-5784-8b01-24919a1b8f53/6138e2f1330d9.image.jpg?resize=400%2C600 400w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/d7/0d72cc64-c1d1-5784-8b01-24919a1b8f53/6138e2f1330d9.image.jpg?resize=540%2C810 540w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/d7/0d72cc64-c1d1-5784-8b01-24919a1b8f53/6138e2f1330d9.image.jpg?resize=640%2C960 640w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/d7/0d72cc64-c1d1-5784-8b01-24919a1b8f53/6138e2f1330d9.image.jpg?resize=750%2C1125 750w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/d7/0d72cc64-c1d1-5784-8b01-24919a1b8f53/6138e2f1330d9.image.jpg?resize=990%2C1485 990w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/d7/0d72cc64-c1d1-5784-8b01-24919a1b8f53/6138e2f1330d9.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C1553 1035w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/d7/0d72cc64-c1d1-5784-8b01-24919a1b8f53/6138e2f1330d9.image.jpg?resize=1175%2C1763 1200w)
An Afghan evacuee child is given a new backpack and coloring book during the reception process at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin Sept. 3, 2021. The Department of Defense is providing support for at least 50,000 Afghan evacuees who have fled from Afghanistan after the recent collapse of the country’s government to the Taliban.
SPC. RHIANNA BALLENGER, U.S. ARMY“I know there are a lot of people who are fearmongering for political reasons, but these are probably the safest neighbors we can have in our communities.”
U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., who visited Afghan refugees Saturday at Wisconsin’s Fort McCoy