As images of desperate Afghan refugees flooded the news last week, I felt overwhelmed by my own inadequacy. Then I saw an Amazon wishlist of refugees’ concrete needs — and logged on to Twitter.

“I know that I live in safety. I know that I don’t have to worry about being kidnapped, being hurt; I don’t have to worry about being hit by an I.E.D.” Ahmad wishes that same security for his family and the people of Afghanistan.

Keeping Our Promise, a volunteer-run refugee resettlement organization, partners closely with churches, synagogues and faith-based organizations to help Special Immigrant Visa hopefuls in Afghanistan.

For me and my family, Afghanistan is not one more distant problem we really can’t do anything about. It isn’t the same when the anxiety, and even terror, is experienced by your friends.

While the Taliban have promised not to shed any blood, some locals fear that the Islamist regime will lead to persecutions and violence.

Continuing the Trump administration’s restrictions on asylum seekers is not necessary for public health, and it undermines our long history as a place of refuge.