600 Afghan Refugees Now In Tulsa, 200 More Expected In Coming Weeks

Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma says almost all of the Afghan Refugees expected to come to Tulsa have arrived and most are finally in their new permanent homes.

Currently, 600 of the expected 800 refugees have arrived in Tulsa. More than 50% of them are in long-term housing.

Deacon Kevin Sartorius with Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma says crossing that 600 threshold was a huge accomplishment for them.

"We have 200 more coming and those will be probably within the next three weeks maybe four weeks," Sartorius said. "Now that the system is working, it's really kind of flowing pretty well."

Outside of housing, Tulsa Public Schools is helping educate Afghan children so they can eventually enroll in the district.

Refugees are also working to get social security numbers and authorization to work before starting the job search.

The refugees will have to apply for citizenship within a certain time, but the Catholic charities will have immigration legal services available for them.