I had told myself that I was going to be more diligent in checking data this year as refugees were being placed by the Trump Administration.
The first arrivals were reported here four days ago.
So, when I checked just now I was surprised to see that Maryland, which usually comes in in the middle of the pack, had moved to the number one state for resettlement so far.
Granted we are only talking about 30 refugees out of a total of 274 that have arrived in the US since October 1, but I think it is worth mentioning.
Using the interactive data reports at Wrapsnet, here is what I learned.
Forty Eritreans entered the US in the last two weeks and 25 of them were placed in Maryland.
Additionally Maryland received 5 from the DR Congo.
Baltimore was the resettlement city for all of the Congolese and all but three of the Eritreans.
Of course if you know anything about Maryland you are likely wondering what the heck are they going to do for jobs in Baltimore (no meatpacking plants that I know of!).
We don’t know what religious affiliation the Eritreans who came to Maryland claim, but know that 17 out of the total 40 Eritreans who came to the US in the last 2 weeks are Muslims.
The usual reason given for why Eritreans are leaving their country is because the dictatorship there has mandatory military conscription. Because of that, you get new neighbors!
(It has been awhile, but see a post I wrote about the diversity being added to a troubled Baltimore.)