The first group of refugees from Afghanistan have arrived at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin and according to United States Senator Ron Johnson up to 10,000 more could do so in the coming weeks.
The base, located about 40 miles east of La Crosse in western Wisconsin, is one of three military installations nationwide that has been processing people evacuated from Afghanistan since the country fell to the Taliban.
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During a meeting with base officials, Johnson said, “It sounds like the first group of people that arrived are just relieved to have been able to escape Afghanistan. They won the lottery, they’re here in America,” according to the Associated Press inputs.
“The vast majority are here wanting what we want, the opportunity to raise their families in safety and security, with opportunity,’ he added.
Meanwhile, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers was also there separately and met with refugees.
“Our allies from Afghanistan have a long road ahead of them, and Wisconsin will continue to extend our support and assistance to these individuals who bravely contributed to our country’s efforts over the past two decades,” Evers said in a statement.
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However, the exact number of evacuees from Afghanistan and their duration of stay in New Jersey is still unclear, officials from the United States military previously said that nearly 10,000 people will be given shelter for up to a year, according to reports from the Associated Press.
During the news conference, Johnson criticised President Joe Biden and his administration, saying its assurances about the vetting process was putting “lipstick on a pig.”
“Maybe they’re taking biometrics, but you need biometrics taken beforehand that you can compare them to,” he said. “It would be nice if we knew everyone even just had an identification card, but I’m hearing they don’t.”
With inputs from the Associated Press
