Month: August 2007

More details on Somali refugee rape case

~ Ann Corcoran ~ Leave a comment

I’m under the weather today, so have no energy to analyze this article from the Minneapolis Star Tribune on the refugee rape case, but here is an excerpt.  I found it interesting that the “R” word was no where to be found.   Instead, the focus is on the inability of the police to get the Somali’s to report crime, and not on the horrible crime itself.    I  never see a reporter write a thing about how and why these gangs of Somalis came to be here in the first place.

Though the building’s resident manager wouldn’t provide demographic breakdowns, the tenant list in the entryway is dominated by Somali surnames — a segment of St. Paul’s population that police say is often reluctant to report crimes.

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That reluctance is of such concern to police officials that Chief John Harrington has been meeting monthly with Somali elders to encourage community cooperation in criminal matters, police spokesman Tom Walsh said Thursday.

In case the link doesn’t work (they want you to register) look for Star-Tribune, “Hallway rape went unreported by neighbors.”   August 24, 2007.

Nuggets from ORR Report to Congress

~ Ann Corcoran ~ Leave a comment

Your tax dollars:

We encourage everyone interested in Refugee Resettlement to read through the 2005 Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) Report to Congress.   In the meantime, we will bring you an occasional nugget from the report.

According to a table on welfare useage, the number of refugees receiving food stamps has nearly doubled since 2000.   In that year 28.8 % of refugees were on food stamps.  Each year since the number has edged upward and for 2005, the number of refugees on food stamps had climbed to 52.7%.

Will they bring their feuds to America? Part 1

~ Ann Corcoran ~ Leave a comment

It wasn’t until this week that I’ve given much thought to the downright frightening aspects of multiculturalism.   You know I think we have been so indoctrinated with the idea that diversity is a positive thing and that it means we will be surrounded by interesting foods, customs, and dress, that we don’t give a thought to those aspects of other cultures and religions that are not simply obnoxious but dangerous. 

Today the Washington Post reports on a centuries old custom of “blood feuds” among Albanians.   You should read this shocking story.   We  joke today about the Hatfields and the McCoys and are entertained by TV characters such as the Sopranos, but that is nothing compared to the present day real-life feuds that exist between neighbors and families in this mostly Muslim country.   There are children who don’t attend school for years because of an on-going feud and fear of being shot if they leave their homes.  Even babies can be killed to satisfy those seeking revenge.

…… modern blood feuds generally proceed as follows: A killing takes place, the victim’s family demands blood retribution, then the members of the killer’s family take refuge in their homes — which are considered inviolate under kanun — for at least 40 days and seek forgiveness. If forgiveness is granted or a life is taken in retaliation, the feud ends. Otherwise, the isolation period can continue indefinitely.

Now where did we hear about Albania earlier this summer?   Oh yes, four of the Ft. Dix Six are ethnic Albanians  (3 illegal and one a refugee).   If you recall they planned to deliver pizza and death to as many US military personnel as possible at this Central NJ military base where soldiers do their final training for Iraq.  Ft. Dix had served as a refugee resettlement center for tens of thousands of refugees from the war in the former Yugoslavia (including Albania).

According to the Office of Refugee Resettlement 2005 Report to Congress, the US has resettled 3,660 Albanians with the largest number, 1,333 to New York.   We should consider ourselves lucky that Maryland only got 95!    What makes us think they will bring only the colorful charming customs to America and leave behind the blood feuds?  

Look for Part 2 tomorrow.    Will Muslim sectarian warfare come to rural America?

Not everything is rosy in the city that loves refugees

~ Ann Corcoran ~ Leave a comment

Utica, New York is being held up as the example of an American city that loves its refugees.   (Just google ‘Utica, city that loves refugees’ and you’ll see what I mean.)   But, according to an article  entitled “Many Teen Refugees Falling through the Gap” in the Utica Observer Dispatch yesterday there is trouble brewing in this city whose population is at least 10% refugees.   Refugee teens are at loose ends and not particpating in American non-profit group programs such as the Boys and Girls Club.

Could teens at loose ends go the way of Nashville’s Kurds and form gangs?  That possibility is the obvious concern here.

Established youth-oriented nonprofit organizations, which many American-born teenagers have grown up with, are not having much success in reaching refugee teens.

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These teens are unaware of the scope of the services provided by nonprofits and in some cases are uncomfortable showing up to the facilities without a clear picture of what goes on there, officials and experts say.

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As a result:

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•refugee teens, who already face loads of pressure because of their newly amplified roles within their own families, feel adrift.

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•The Utica school district winds up filling in gaps.

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•And the nonprofits themselves haven’t connected with a plentiful source of new clients in a changing city. At least 1-in-10 Uticans is a refugee, and the extent of diversity among children and teens is even greater.

No kidding on the diversity issue mentioned above.   The refugees are from Bosnia (Europe), Somalia (Africa), and  Burma (Asia) and have nothing in common.   

But,  like all do-gooders they think all will be solved if you just throw some taxpayer money at the problem.   The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) gave a substantial grant that  apparently hasn’t solved anything.

In 2003, the refugee center had created the Refugee Delinquency Program only to see funding later run out.

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The program was funded with a three-year $150,000 grant from the Office of Refugee Resettlement. Refugee services director Ioanna Balint said the youth program was created in response to trends she noticed in area schools.

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The refugee center hoped to ease the cultural transition for these teens, who often struggle with balancing the traditions of their home country with the new American culture.

Keep this article in mind when the Refugee promotion team sets up a photo display about the City that Loves Refugees in your town.