YMCA International Services was founded in 1978 to provide client-centered programs to refugees, immigrants and other vulnerable populations in the Houston area. As the years have gone by, client demographics may have changed but one thing has stayed the same; the YMCA is still providing support for refugees, immigrants and vulnerable populations in the Houston and surrounding areas.

• Contact us at 713-758-9280 for more questions or to schedule an appointment.
• For general information about immigration, please go to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services website.
• If you have a pending case with USCIS and a receipt notice, you can check your case status.
• If you have an Immigration Court date pending, you can call to check your status at (800)-898-7180.
• If a member of your family has been detained, you can locate them.
• If you have moved and need to change your official address with the government.
• For general legal resources, including immigration resources.

Other Resources

• Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Immigrants, Department of State
• Office of Refugee Resettlement, Department of Health and Human Services
• United Nations High Commission on Refugees
• National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants

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Khuda arrived in the US with his wife, Bibi, and their children in July of 2020. Khuda had worked for the American Special Forces for almost 8 years in Afghanistan, his home country. His job was to assist the US to defuse landmines. Not only was this a dangerous line of work, but also allying with US forces put Khuda and his family in even more danger. Khuda was shot 3 times and also survived a landmine explosion. He was able to recover from these injuries, but Khuda still felt that he and his family were no longer safe in Afghanistan. Because of his work with the American Special Forces, he and his family were eventually able to come to the US with Special Immigrant Visas (SIV.) With YMCA’s assistance, Khuda quickly found a job working for a security company. His wife, while also caring for the children at home, is attending online ESL classes to improve her English.

Despite his hardship in Afghanistan and despite arriving in the US in the middle of a pandemic, Khuda is upbeat and optimistic about his family’s future. He is excited about advancing his career and enjoying life with his family here in Houston.