I’m reminded by this report on the San Diego refugee housing scandal at Inewsource.org.
The US State Department on some sporadic basis sends monitors out to refugee resettlement offices around the country to see if your local resettlement agency is compliant with guidelines for the care of refugees they have placed.
Years ago I spoke with Chris Coen who had a blog called ‘Friends of Refugees’ and he regularly submitted Freedom of Information Actrequests to the State Department for those monitoring reports, then patiently waited YEARS to get responses. Lacking patience, I never sought them (little did I imagine that nearly 11 years later, I am still doing this!). IRC’s representative in San Diego: Mireille Cronin Mather
Now that we know that the Tillerson State Department is trying to clear its FOIA backlog, maybe some of you should try again to get the reports for contractors operating in your towns.
Clearly the reporters at Inewsource.org were able to obtain one for the International Rescue Committee in San Diego.
Here is the title and first paragraph of their latest report. The contractors are extremely vulnerable on the issue of how they care for refugees they are paid to care for (I’ve been hearing it for years), and it goes to the heart of the question about whether this is really a ‘humanitarian’ program or simply driven by money.
Federal monitors warned San Diego refugee nonprofit of problems with resettlement practices
Federal monitors raised concerns about a local refugee resettlement agency’s housing placement practices months before the organization’s employees committed additional violations, which KPBS uncovered and detailed in a series of reports last year.
Hereis the State Department’s FOIA guideline site.
If you need to know which resettlement agencies are working near you, go here for a directory. Pick offices that are within a hundred miles of your home.
This post is filed in my ‘What you can do’ category, see here.
…to put it another way—Live by the government, die by the government!
I wasn’t planning to get into this story about how a Lesbian couple was denied the right to foster a refugee child by Catholic Charities because the couple is a same-sex couple, but couldn’t resist when I saw this Leftwing report on a “Rightwing” TV interview. Donohue wrote a book entitled: Twilight of Liberty! Unbelievable that he can’t see that being financially beholden to the federal government doesn’t exactly advance ‘religious’ liberty!
You may be surprised to hear that I am on the side of the Lesbians in this case.
Why? Because Catholic Charities wouldn’t be in this pickle if they weren’t living off the federal dole with their millions of dollars in grants/contracts they receive from taxpayers.
You might be saying, well they probably would still go after Catholic Charities, yes, maybe, but would have a more difficult road if it weren’t for all the federal money that goes directly to CC and indirectly via the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, one of nine major federal refugee contractors.*** Catholic agencies can’t act like they are private RELIGIOUS organizations while living off you and me via the US Treasury.
From The Advocate:
A Texas lesbian couple’s lawsuit over the denial of a foster care opportunity amounts to “gay bullying and harassment” in the mind of right-wing Catholic activist and noted homophobe Bill Donohue.
Fatma Marouf and Bryn Esplin filed suit in federal court Tuesday against the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and several federal government agencies after the director of international foster care at the Catholic Charities of Fort Worth turned down their application to foster a refugee child because they don’t “mirror the Holy Family,” The Texas Tribune reports. The bishops’ conference receives federal funding that it funnels to the foster care program, so it is using taxpayer dollars to illegally discriminate based on Catholic beliefs, say the women, who are represented by Lambda Legal.
But Donohue contends the women are just trying to bully the Catholic church. “They’re gay activists,” he said Wednesday on The Ingraham Angle, Laura Ingraham’s show on the Fox News Channel (watch below). “They are trying to shove their secular values down our throats. … Secular militants [are] trying to shove their way in and basically neuter Catholic institutions,” he continued.
He and Ingraham both said the couple could go to other religious groups or secular agencies in search of foster care opportunities, but they are targeting Catholic institutions to rob them of their religious identity. “The intent is to intimidate, to bully, to get them to capitulate,” Donohue said. In some states, Catholic groups have ceased providing adoption or foster care services rather than serve same-sex couples.
More here. When Catholic Charities and the Bishops give up their federal boodle, then I’ll listen to their “religious identity” arguments.
Decide! Religious principles OR federal money!
If you missed it last month, go here, and see Capital Research Center‘s educational youtube on CC and its dependency on federal money.
*** These are the nine federally funded refugee agencies operating in the US.
The number in parenthesis is the percentage of their income paid by you (the taxpayer) to place the refugees and get them signed up for their services (aka welfare)! From most recent accounting, here.
As our mainstream media pounds us 24/7 about American gun violence you hear next to nothing about the UK’s knife violence (knives are the weapon of choice for many violent Muslims).
Why is that? Is it a volume issue (they can only kill a couple of people at a time)? Or is it because the Somalis are a protected class and the image of refugees as pure-as-the-driven-snow dare not be challenged? Invasion of Europe news….
First Muslim mayor of London, Sadiq Khan: “Two more lives needlessly lost to knife crime.”
Somali gang violence rages on affluent north London streets
The murder of two young Somali men within three hours of each other this week in north London highlights the brutal gang violence that has gripped parts of this immigrant community.
Stabbed to death on Tuesday evening by other Somalis. The second murder that same evening was a machete hacking death.
Seventeen-year-old Abdikarim Hassan was fatally stabbed outside a corner shop in Kentish Town just after 7pm on Tuesday evening (20 February). At 10.15pm Sadiq Aadam, 20, was set upon by a gang wielding machetes and a samurai sword in Belsize Park and hacked to death.
Detectives are investigating possible gang links to both killings and police have imposed a section 60 order across Camden, giving officers the right to stop and search people when they believe serious violence will take place.
This persistent violence linked to drugs, territorial feuds, or blood vendettas, has beset a section of the UK’s 100,000-strong Somali community in the UK.
Camden is not the London borough you would usually associate with gang violence. Houses around Hampstead and Primrose Hill are some of the most expensive in the capital, commanding an average price of £1.7m. These areas are home to bankers, city lawyers and celebrities such as pop star Liam Gallagher and film director Ridley Scott.
Aadam was the third member of his family to be killed in a knife attack. His brother, Mohamed, was murdered in September near Mornington Crescent, a mile away, and their cousin, Mohamed “Lefty” Abdullahi, was stabbed to death in nearby Holloway in June 2013. Aadam studied business at Middlesex University and worked part-time in Tesco.
His four attackers fled on foot as passers-by desperately tried to save him after he was stabbed in the heart.
So who is being blamed? Not their home life, their religion/their mosques, their culture where clan feuds have gone on for time immemorial! Nope, it is all the fault of the local British police not keeping them safe!
In a statement Aadam’s family said: “This is the constant theme in our community. [How about looking within!—-ed]
“We are made to believe that the police are here to protect us, but how does a mother feel her kids are protected when she has lost two in the same vicinity within months?
“We have lots of questions and need answers. Somebody has to listen to us.”
[….]
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said he was “desperately saddened” by this week’s deaths, and added: “Two more lives needlessly lost to knife crime.”
Continue reading here. Go herefor my complete ‘Invasion of Europe’ archive.
Moral of the story—do not admit any more Somalis!
This is really a nothingburger story at a college newspaper, but I was drawn by the headline, and, since I hadn’t mentioned Colorado much lately, am posting it.
I will bet that none of these protesters for more refugees ever gave any serious monetary donations to the local program because they have come to expect their Christian ‘charity’ comes from the government.
Trump’s Secretive Changes to the Process of Reviewing Refugees
The story then goes on to explain how the vetting process is being tightened and that the local Lutheran contractor’s office is shrinking. It is the same sob story we are hearing from sea to shining sea.
And, I continue to contend that the whole Ponzi-scheme system of paying ‘religious’ charities like the Lutherans with federal dollars to place refugees on a per head basis is crashing and a major part of the blame (for staff reductions and refugees left in the lurch) rests with the agencies like this one in Colorado (a subcontractor of the ‘mothership’—Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Servicesin turmoil at the moment) that never raised enough private money to tide them over in downturn times like this.
LOL! A good friend recently coined the phrase: “Live by the government, die by the government.”
Sohere is some of what reporter Aleryan says about Colorado Springs.
By the way, no mention anywhere about how the refugees were pouring in to Colorado to supply meatpackers with cheap labor (LIRS even has a contract with Brazilian-owned slaughterhouse—JBS—headquartered in Greeley!).
President Trump’s executive order to ban refugees from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen from coming into the United States, known as “The Muslim Ban,” is what we often talk about and see on news regarding any refugee status or immigration policy. However, is the Muslim Ban what really affects the arrival of refugees in American cities such as Colorado Springs?
Laura Liibbe is the community programs coordinator at Lutheran Family Services, Colorado’s local organization that is responsible for refugee settlement, among other affairs. Liibbe studied international development and teaches English as a second language, which was what inspired her to get involved with the organization. Her work primarily entails connecting refugees to the resources they need in Colorado Springs. [Connecting to resources=signing them up for welfare—ed] She has been working with LFS for six years.
[….]
When the refugee ban was finally lifted, people believed that refugees could again enter the U.S.. However, Trump had already implemented secretive policies that were not at the forefront of the news, so refugees were still not granted access to the country.
The security processes that Trump altered made it impossible for some cases to be processed. The security screening process usually entails refugees providing medical documents, background checking, verification of their refugee status, and their employment history for 10 years. That process is already difficult for some refugees to fulfill, especially if they fled their country and do not have access to their official documents. This process was made more difficult by mandating a 15 or 20 year verification of employment and other documents.
Trump also took resources from refugee reviewing processes that were reallocated to U.S. asylum cases. Liibbe emphasized that this move was not necessarily bad, but she criticizes the shift of resources instead of investing in new and increased resources. The refugee reviewing process is now significantly slower due to the loss of financial support and expertise. Each year, the President chooses a number of refugees to accept. This year, Trump’s administration decided on 45,000, but due to the slowed nature of the process, only 18,000 are expected to be approved and able to enter this year.
[….]
Liibbe emphasized that the city of Colorado Springs has the resources, the capacity, and the capabilities to receive refugees. In the past, they have settled 150 refugees a year with ease. Now, Liibbe insists that we will see a major decrease in that number. This decrease will deeply affect the LFS partnerships because their government funding is dependent on how many refugees they settle.
Can you say Ponzi-scheme! For regular readers this per refugee head payment business is old news, but believe me, ten years ago when I began writing about the program, no media ever mentioned that critical fact! Come on Congress, time to get off your butts and either dump or reform the Refugee Act of 1980! Endnote to Ms. Aleryan: You might be interested in writing about the contracts LIRS has with meatpackers especially since this agency—Lutheran Family Services, Rocky Mountains—helped secure the contracts. Humanitarianism is not the primary driving force behind the UN/US Refugee Admissions Program! Big business and the Chamber of Commerce is! (Dems get voters of course!)
As you know, World Reliefis one of the nine federal refugee contractors*** that depends on federal money to do its work.
Earlier this month we reported on their presence on Capitol Hill pushing for amnesty for the DACA ‘kids’ at a press conference headlined by Oklahoma Republican Senator James Lankford (have you noticed that Lankford is a FOX Newshound lately).
Republican Senator James Lankford headlined the World Relief presser earlier this month on behalf of amnesty for the so-called ‘Dreamers.’ That is World Relief lobbyist Jenny Yang on far right. Should any of our tax dollars be used for religious Left advocacy? And, will Lankford be their man to help them keep their government boodle?
World Relief’s out front role on behalf of illegal aliens raises questions about their financial support from the US State Department and HHS as refugee contractors as you can see in this story with the headline:
Conflict of Interest? World Relief, Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Debate
Recently, World Relief convened Christian leaders to speak out for immigrants. After some raised questions on their mission and motives, the aid group responds.
Hereis the story at The Stream (hat tip: Chris)which begins with a few words about the DACA vote, then this:
Some Senate leaders still see an opportunity to pass a targeted bill that could pass both chambers. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program expires on March 5. More than 700,000 immigrants, many brought to the U.S. as children, will face potential deportation. Senator James Lankford, R-Okla., vowed to keep working in coming weeks towards a solution.
Lankford appeared recently at a press conference convened by World Relief. He spoke alongside faith leaders who advocate the cause of immigrants and refugees. In interviews with The Stream, some questioned World Relief’s role in the coalition.
“I don’t doubt that these groups have sincere convictions,” states Mark Tooley, president of the Institute on Religion and Democracy. “But World Relief and various Catholic relief groups get government dollars for refugee resettlement while lobbying for immigration causes. So there is a seeming self-interest.”
If money is not a driving factor, then they should say no thanks and not take another dime from US taxpayers! ‘Christian’ verbiage doesn’t cut it! Let them demonstrate Christian love with privately donated funds! The Stream continues….
Jenny Yang, vice president of advocacy at World Relief, responds in an interview. “Money has never been a driving factor,”she says. “Our staff members feel it is part of their missional calling to reach the nations for Christ by loving their immigrant neighbors. They make minimal amounts of money in doing this work.”
World Relief critic Kullberg. https://evangelicalsforbiblicalimmigration.com/
World Relief operates as one of nine voluntary agencies with contracts under the U.S. refugee resettlement program. Since last year, the inflow of refugees into the U.S. has been drastically cut. Interviews with leaders on both sides reveal divisions — even when values are shared.
Often on Capitol Hill, Yang’s role is to advocate for human rights and religious liberty. “Any time we speak up on an issue, it really is out of knowing people personally in relationship,” says Yang. “Whether we’re speaking out on the food crisis in South Sudan or other parts of Africa, or we’re speaking up for immigrants in the U.S., it’s because these are individuals we know and serve in our ministry.”
Kelly Kullberg has been a volunteer missionary in seven nations. In the early 1990’s, she served at a World Relief project in Central America.“We helped reclaim a San Salvador garbage dump,” she recalls. “The project won a U.N. award as a redeemed home for 8,000 people.”
Since 2013, Kullberg has headed up Evangelicals for Biblical Immigration. The loose coalition critiques what it calls “pro-amnesty evangelicals.”
Today, she asserts a troubling agenda drives the venerable aid agency. “World Relief once did great Christian gospel work around the world — both in word and deed,” says Kullberg. “Perhaps World Relief should explain how they’ve received more than $256 million in U.S. government grants for resettling immigrants and refugees.”
The funding figure comes from official government sources at USASpending.gov. “While they still do work overseas, it seems that the priority has become refugee work in the U.S,” states Kullberg.
[….]
Concerns for Christian witness are at the heart of her criticisms, Kullberg claims.
Federal grant rules prohibit witnessing to refugees about Christ!
“By taking federal money, World Relief and other voluntary agencies cannot legally share the gospel of Jesus Christ, verbally, with those they are serving,” she says.“World Relief should consider the whole counsel of Scripture, the long-term consequences of their work and get back to their original mission.”
[….]
“We also adhere to strict humanitarian policies and guidelines. In our international and U.S. programs, we don’t engage in proselytism. [NO! Because they would lose their federal money!—-ed]
The Department of State has cooperative agreements with nine domestic resettlement agencies to resettle refugees. While some of the agencies have religious affiliations, they are not allowed to proselytize.
There is much more in this story, please continue reading here.
See our complete archive on World Relief byclicking here.
*** These are the nine federally funded refugee agencies operating in the US.
The number in parenthesis is the percentage of their income paid by you (the taxpayer) to place the refugees and get them signed up for their services (aka welfare)! From most recent accounting, here. There will never be reform of the US Refugee Admissions Program as long as those organizations paid to place refugees in American towns and cities are also able to do political community organizing and lobby for more refugees and more money for themselves.
If, as Yang says, money has not been a driving factor, how about just saying no. We challenge World Relief to survive by giving up nearly 73% of its present income.
