Afghan refugees

An unprecedented number of refugees and immigrants from Afghanistan have arrived in Cleveland due to the ongoing crisis there after the U.S. withdrew its troops last year. Now, local federally qualified health care centers that conduct refugee health screenings have had to ramp up efforts to deal with the influx of patients.

A resettlement agency expects to welcome 150 Afghan evacuees to the city in the coming months, but advocates are concerned they may not get the same benefits as other refugees.

Gov. Mike DeWine's spokesman says the process is set by the federal government.

Gonzalez, who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump for his role in inciting the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol, will not seek reelection next year; Gov. Mike DeWine says more than 850 Afghan refugees will be arriving in Ohio and placed within eight local resettlement agencies; the COVID surge continues to gain strength in Ohio, with more than 8,300 new cases and 355 hospitalizations reported on Thursday; and more stories.

The state is expecting to resettle hundreds, if not thousands, of Afghan refugees.