January 9, 2020
By Christie Black, Director of Engagement
I have been working within the Phoenix refugee community since 2015, and my immigrant friends have become a part of my everyday life. When the president issued Executive Order 13888 last fall, which requires all state and local governments to opt in to receive refugees in 2020, my heart sank into my stomach.
I thought back to when I was volunteering for a local non-profit in 2016. I was helping with their Facebook posting, which required me to receive Google alerts for any mention of the word “refugees.” Some of the media notifications were absolutely ugly — and absolutely false — but, sadly, people were sharing and buying into the hatred and fear. The Islamaphobic rhetoric from the 2016 election still haunts me. So I was worried Executive Order 13888 would allow people who bought into that rhetoric the chance to keep refugees out of their communities and our country.
Even before this opt-in program, 2019 saw the fewest number of refugees enter the U.S. since the Refugee Act was created in 1980. Refugee admittance numbers represent so much more than numbers — they represent lives saved from jeopardy and peril. It is our responsibility to save as many of those lives as we can.
In November, the Arizona MWEG chapter met with a state staff member to try to persuade our governor to continue to allow refugees into our state. We were especially anxious, knowing he had been one of the governors demanding a halt to Syrian refugees in 2015. We were so pleased to hear that the governor had received satisfactory answers to his previous concerns and planned to apply for continued refugee resettlement in Arizona.
As I’ve been monitoring the consents, my heart has swelled. By and large, governors are consenting to refugees in their states. Some, like Utah Governor Herbert, are even asking the President to increase the number of refugees admitted in 2020. In a time when partisanship seems to reign supreme, I am overwhelmed with joy as I see politicians rise above party politics to welcome our displaced brothers and sisters into our communities.
How is the consent process going in your state and locale? Please check the status here. We encourage you to send thanks to governors and local civic leaders who have consented! If your state/locale isn’t listed, please keep in mind that the state department has not been updating online as quickly as governments have submitted consent.
Please contact engage@mweg.org if you are concerned about your area’s status (particularly about the confusion over whether your area still needs county or city support). I may have more information about the consent; I would love to help you advocate for refugees in your state!
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