Look who is talking—federal refugee resettlement contractors who were apparently expecting a windfall in the big pork bill that went down in flames this past week, that’s who. The so-called Omnibus bill was laden with more money for refugee resettlement. Lamenting that the 80,000 refugees arriving in the US this year would be strapped for cash —what no unemployment payments for them—not one resettlement contractor ever says maybe we shouldn’t bring so many refugees to your town until the economy improves!
From the Huffington Post:
WASHINGTON — The Senate’s decision last week to fund the government through a continuing resolution instead of an omnibus appropriations bill could have implications for refugees, eliminating an 18.5-percent increase in funding for refugee resettlement programs that would help refugees from Iraq, Burma, and other troubled regions, to settle in the United States.
Programs for refugee resettlement are strapped for funds, particularly as the number of refugees admitted to the U.S. creeps upward. The United States is authorized to admit up to 80,000 refugees for the fiscal year 2011 — only a small fraction of those seeking aid worldwide.
For refugees who are accepted into the United States, the omnibus spending bill would have allowed for better social services and a stronger safety net for those who are taken from war-torn countries and expected to find work in the U.S. within three months.
“It takes longer to find jobs for refugees,” Bob Carey, vice president of International Rescue Fund, told HuffPost. “
They’re particularly vulnerable to unemployment. A lot of the refugees we’re seeing are coming with medical issues. They’ve been tortured or have injuries, or some haven’t had medical treatment because of the war.”
The omnibus bill could have provided these refugees with unemployment aid, job training, and an emergency housing support fund for those behind on rent or utilities payments.
Look who is crying for money! The International Rescue Committee (not Fund) is a $282 million dollar a year organization. It received $175 million dollars in 2008 from the American taxpayer according to its Form 990 here.
CEO, Charles Rupp made $429,705 in salary and compensation that year. And, they are crying for more of your money. Maybe all their 6-figure-salaried employees could give up a little of their dough and help out the refugees they lobby Congress and the White House to bring to America.
And, by the way, the IRC was the resettlement contractor that brought the refugees to Abilene which I just mentioned this morning, here.