Bright Star Initiative

Advocacy: Task Force Foxfire's primary effort is focused on immigration advocacy for at-risk Afghans (US Citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR)s, and Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders) and those eligible for such status, trying to leave Afghanistan following the collapse of the US-supported Afghan National Government. This activity involved the compilation, vetting, and tracking of those individuals in need of assistance who we were put in contact with or who reached out to us directly. On their behalf, we then relayed, liaised, and coordinated with our personal and professional contacts working for, and with, the US Government (USG) evacuation effort to help those individuals reach safety. TFF was successful in getting some of them safely out, however many more of the individuals and their families that we are tracking remain in danger. We continue to advocate on their behalf via the official USG channels established for ongoing relief.

Resettlement Support: A secondary activity conducted by TFF was resettlement support for refugees being relocated to the United States. This was initially focused on the provision of interpreter services to the resettlement effort, Operation Allies Welcome, coordinated by the US Department of State (DoS) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Pending the necessary funding, we coordinated with our existing contacts who are, or knew, Afghan-Americans willing to travel to resettlement locations and either volunteer or sub-contract their services as Dari and Pashto speakers. Our aim was to provide for their travel to and from these locations.

Bright Star Initiative (BSI) scholarship and mentorship program. Once selected, Bright Star Scholars are assigned to a research team where they will get first hand experience in compiling and analyzing both qualitative and quantitative data sets. The program is designed around a single semester's worth of participation, resulting in a capstone product which is then disseminated out to various institutions, NGOs, governments, and corporations. Scholars receive the benefit of real-world work experience and gain valuable tutelage from some of the best minds in the industry. Additionally, scholars are eligible to receive financial aid and support during their tenure as researchers at Task Force Foxfire. Upon successful completion the scholars are prepared to enter the humanitarian aid workforce with a litany of skills, experiences and keen insight into the problems facing the world. The generational benefit of contributing such dedicated leaders to our community is beyond compare and will ensure a bright future for humanity.