Yesterday I reminded readers that you have ten days to send in comments to the State Department about the “size and scope” of the Refugee Admissions Program for FY2017.
A commenter at our facebook page told people not to bother because they won’t listen anyway. Frankly, it just sounded like the advice of a lazy negative person to me. I told you in my post that there are many things you can and should do with your testimony even if you know the US State Department won’t listen to you. So please do it!
I just now realized that I told you in December 2015 what I said in previous years (called for a moratorium) and outlined a bit of the history of this “scoping” meeting. We attended for a few years in person until they stopped holding public hearings altogether, and we can only assume that they didn’t want to hear from us in person anymore. They also keep the testimony secret now (we previously were able to get all the testimony if we attended the public hearing).
By the way, regarding #5 in my past testimony, they are making progress in their reports to Congress, but most likely only because Congress is now paying some attention.
A reader suggested I re-post this map of the present sites where refugee contractors are working. But, remember they are now scouting out new sites—Missoula, MT, Rutland, VT and Ithaca, NY come immediately to mind.
Click here to see the 2016 Affiliates Map more clearly (color coding represents the nine major contractors, see legend).
LOL! I am reminded just now as I look at the map that as many as 5-6 (of nine) major contractors (being paid by the head to resettle the refugees) could be working (and competing!) in your city! Chicago has 8 of the 9!
