Every year the US State Department holds a meeting/hearing to learn what US citizens are thinking about the refugee resettlement program and so they can ‘help’ the President determine how many refugees we will take in the next fiscal year.

The meeting is dominated by federal contractors (LOL! they call them “voluntary agencies”) who stream in and ask for more refugees.  In past years few citizens or local elected officials have questioned the notion that the US can take in more impoverished immigrants from the world’s political hot spots.

This is your chance!  Either sign up to attend the hearing or send your comments.  Here is the Federal Register notice.  Note that they are specifically disallowing video taping of the proceedings because they don’t want large numbers of taxpayers to see the parade of contractors with their hands out!

There will be a meeting on the President’s FY 2013 U.S. Refugee Admissions Program on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Refugee Processing Center, 1401 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1100, Arlington, Virginia. The meeting’s purpose is to hear the views of attendees on the appropriate size and scope of the FY 2013 U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.

Persons wishing to attend this meeting must notify the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration at telephone (202) 453-9257 by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 24, 2012, to reserve a seat. Persons wishing to present written comments should submit them by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 24, 2012 via email to spruellda@state.gov or fax (202) 453-9393.

The use of any video or audio recording device, photographing device, or any other electronic or mechanical device designed for similar purposes is prohibited at Tuesday’s event.

If you have questions about the public meeting, please contact Delicia Spruell, PRM/Admissions Program Officer at (202) 453-9257. Information about the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program may be found at http://www.state.gov/g/prm/.

Dated: March 22, 2012.

David Robinson,

Acting, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, Department of State.

Note to readers:  since we get new visitors every day, I’ll be re-posting this frequently between now and April 24th so you don’t forget to send in comments or to sign up to be there in person!