Mission
& Community Partners

​It’s hard to believe that the Afghan family we have been supporting have been in Michigan for three years. Mohammad Wali, along with his sons Ali and Ali Yar (originally 17 and 3), arrived just before Christmas in 2021. While we rejoice in their progress here, their story is far from complete. Left behind in Afghanistan are two wives (a cultural norm in Afghanistan), nine children, a daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren.

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Where They Are Now

Since arriving in Michigan, we’ve partnered with a legal firm (Dykema, thanks to Doug Fryer) to navigate the complex immigration process for Mohammad Wali and his family. Paperwork for green cards has been submitted for the three family members here, and the initial approvals (I-730s) for several family members in Afghanistan have been secured—an important first step toward their reunification in the U.S.

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Life in Michigan

• Language and Work: Mohammad Wali, while improving his English, relies on Ali, now 20, as the family’s translator. Ali works in construction, gaining skills like painting, tiling, and cabinet installation, while Mohammad Wali works night shifts at a hospital. Ali Yar, now 7, is thriving in 1st grade at North Hill Elementary, speaking fluent English.

• Financial Independence: They have largely supported themselves, paying bills and sending funds to their family in hiding.

 

The Path Forward

The Afghan family is now preparing to move seven family members to Pakistan to complete the U.S. immigration process at the consulate in Islamabad—a process that takes approximately five months. These family members include Mohammad Wali’s wife, Mastoora, and six of their children: sons Maiwand (19) and Yama (18) and daughters Madina (16), Asma (14), Husna (12) and Soma (10).

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Estimated Costs

The cost for this next step is significant—approximately $35,000, not including new housing to support 10 people in the U.S. This includes:

• Pakistani visas and entry fees

• Housing and expenses for five months in Pakistan

• U.S. consulate interviews, medical exams, and background checks

• Exit fees and airline tickets

Meanwhile, the family members who cannot immigrate immediately plan to move to Iran, where they will be safer and share a common language.

 

How You Can Help

When the Afghan family first arrived, our church’s mission committee established an Afghan Family Support Fund, which has been used to assist them in getting settled. We have approximately $13,000 in this account, but as we now work to bring the remaining family members to safety, we need your support more than ever.

• To Donate: Please make checks payable to UPC with "Afghan Family Support" in the memo line. Your contributions will help fund the family's relocation and settlement.

• Writing to your representative or senator: Write a letter or use a template (downloadable in pdf and word formats). Email addresses are no longer posted, so the easiest thing to do is google your representative/senators and copy your letter into their "contact me" page.

• Other Assistance: If you have questions or other ways to help, please reach out to Michelle Bueltel at bueltel.michelle@gmail.com or 248-568-5131.

 

Their Story of Separation

The Afghan family's journey has been marked by heartbreak and resilience. Mohammad Wali, a construction business owner in Afghanistan, faced threats from the Taliban for working with the U.S. and its allies.

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In August 2021, as Kabul fell, the family attempted to flee. Amid the chaos at the airport:

• Ali: Separated in the crowds from his family, evacuated alone to a refugee camp in Qatar before being able to reunite with his dad and brother in October of 2021 in the U.S.

• Mohammad Wali & Ali Yar: Evacuated separately due to Mohammad Wali’s health issues, undergoing surgery in Italy before being sent to the U.S. where they spent the first four months at Camp Pendleton.

• The Rest of the Family: Forced to return home after missing the last flights out, endured continued threats and were forced into a life in hiding for the past three years.

 

The Urgent Need

Reuniting this family is more than an act of kindness—it’s a restoration of hope and dignity for people who have endured incredible hardship. With your support, we can make their dream of safety and togetherness a reality.

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Thank you for being a part of their journey. Together, we can help them build a new life filled with hope and opportunity.​​