'Safe Haven' Facility For Afghan Nationals In Loudoun To Close

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — The National Conference Center in Loudoun County will no longer be used as a "safe haven" facility for Afghan nationals, the local government announced on Wednesday.

Department of Homeland Security officials said that 4,500 people received assistance at the facility as part of Operation: Allies Welcome and have joined communities across the country.

The federal government began using the National Conference Center in March as a temporary stop for Afghan nationals before they could permanently join a community in the U.S.

"We are grateful that so many friends of the U.S. who had no choice but to flee their county were able to join new communities across our country,” Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Chair Phyllis Randall said. "I am proud their first stop in our great nation was right here in Loudoun, from where our federal partners resettled more than 4,500 people without incident and with no discernible impact on the surrounding community."

Government officials said they would vacate the conference center by the end of the day on Friday. The conference center plans to resume its normal operations on Saturday.

“Loudoun County residents, and particularly the Lansdowne community, should be very proud of their role in the extraordinary success of this humanitarian operation,”Ashburn District Supervisor Michael Turner said in a news release. “I’d like to thank the National Conference Center, the dozens of faith-based and nonprofit organizations, and the hundreds of Loudoun citizens that donated their time and resources to help our Afghan allies during their challenging transition to a new life.”

While the safe haven was operating, several government agencies and community organizations provided assistance. Offerings at the facility included help applying for work authorization, English language classes, cultural orientation classes, and matching with new communities.

“We are deeply grateful to all who have been involved for their dedication to the mission," said John Lafferty, Senior Response Official for Operation Allies Welcome, said in a news release. "It has been a true privilege to serve alongside each of them."