Category: Who is going where

Update on Somalis here and there

~ Ann Corcoran ~ Leave a comment

In a post on July 13th (Somalis here, Somalis there, Somalis everywhere) I mentioned that a new Refugee Resettlement Office had opened for the Greeley and Ft. Morgan areas of Colorado.  The Denver Post today carries the usual puff piece about the Somalis who are arriving to the “Mayberry-like Mainstreet” of Ft. Morgan.   The article is entitled “For refugees its a good place”

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_6440317?source=rss

As you read down past the endearing comments about the first snow for the new arrivals, the article gets more interesting.   The Somalis are employed in the meat packing industry.   Its just my guess, but as illegal immigration is increasingly a problem for employers, they are now turning to refugee resettlement as a source of cheap labor.    I’m even guessing these big employers are hiring human resources experts to scour the world’s refugee camps for the brightest prospects.   The federal government (the taxpayer) picks up the tab for all the other expenses to get the employees to middle American cities and set them up in housing and take care of the family’s other needs.

But there are a few flys in the ointment:

They learn quickly, for instance, about keeping their lawns neat and understanding the rules for driving, Anderson said.

More sticky are cultural and religious canons that conflict with the American lifestyle. At times, the refugees will leave their assembly line work to tend to family or friends outside the plant, Waters said.

“Many come from an agricultural-based background, and they are not used to functioning in a more structured environment,” she said. “They have to learn they just can’t walk away.”

Another issue is that many of the refugees are Muslim and adhere to praying at least five times a day. That, too, can cause slowdowns that irk some employers, Waters said.

“This will be, as in the past, an issue that has to be negotiated with their company,” she said.

So the accomodation begins, bit by bit….. more on how we are asked to accomodate the religious requirements of Islam later.     Gotta go feed some old horses.

More on Iraqi Refugees to Detroit area

~ Ann Corcoran ~ Leave a comment

The Detroit News has an update today on the Iraqi Refugees coming to Warren, MI and the Detroit area soon,  “Area preps for Iraqi refugees”    

Go here to read the entire article:    http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070721/METRO/707210374

But, this caught my eye: 

The refugees’ arrival has been delayed this summer because of extensive security screenings.

The latest National Intelligence Estimate said that al-Qaida terrorists would likely try to use Iraqi refugees to infiltrate the United States to carry out acts of terrorism.

Anyone seen the whole report?   Can you help us find this reference in the National Intelligence Estimate released during the last week?

Federal officials have “interviewed more than 1,500 Iraqis in the region since March and have plans to interview 4,000 more by the end of September,” said Janelle Hironimus, a spokeswoman for the state department. “The United States government expects the pace of Iraqi refugee arrivals to increase significantly.”

Warren, MI Mayor to Feds: Send Iraqis elsewhere

~ Ann Corcoran ~ Leave a comment

Mayor Mark Steenbergh of Warren, MI reacted with shock and anger to learn that the US State Department, with the help of Lutheran Social Services, planned to begin resettlement of Iraqi refugees in this Detroit suburb very soon.

Many of us have found this to be a common practice.  The Federal government just drops the bombshell announcement and pretty much says, too bad to local concerns about schools, housing, welfare, and jobs.

 My biggest concern is where the refugees will find employment. Longtime Warren residents are having trouble finding jobs, said the Mayor.

Detroit News, July 19, 2007  http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070719/METRO03/707190375

In an increasingly common refrain, small and medium-sized city leaders are asking where the financial help will come from to support a tide of immigrants from half way around the world.

According to the Macomb Daily today, Steenbergh is correct that unemployment is very high in the whole state.

   http://www.macombdaily.com/stories/071907/loc_steenbergh001.shtml

The unemployment rate in Michigan rose to 7.2 percent in June, the highest point this year, the state announced Wednesday. The state jobless rate in May of 6.9 percent already was the highest in the country.

 

It’s kind of surprising to see the State Department and the non-profit “church” group attempt to resettle refugees in communities with high unemployment since they told us in Hagerstown, MD that job availability is a key factor in deciding where refugees will be sent.

Also, it is not clear from these articles what portion of the Iraqi refugees will be Muslim.   Certainly the Iraqi Christians are being decimated in Iraq and are truly persecuted by both the Shiites and the Sunnis. 

Since the Detroit area has one of the largest Muslim populations in the country it seems like sheer idiocy to bring Christian Iraqis to live alongside those who persecuted them in their homeland.

It’s almost pretty much useless to contact elected federal officials, especially on the Democratic side, in seeking help.   Rep Sander Levin, whose district covers part of Macomb County, released a press statement on hearing of the controversy.  

Rep. Sander Levin immediately refuted the claims by Warren officials.

“The information released today by the city of Warren is inaccurate and misleading,” Levin said in a news release. He said his office was told Wednesday by the State Department that those 25,000 Iraqis would be relocated over a number of years and in nine different regions of the country.

I called the State Department seeking confirmation of the statement about nine regions and where exactly they were and was told that my inquiry was referred to the…..

“public affairs office for clarification and someone will get back to you in the next day or two.”

Where are the nine regions you ask?  Well, at a meeting in Hagerstown, MD this week, a representative of Virginia Council of Churches said that Harrisonburg, VA is an approved “Iraqi receiving area”… so that’s two….Warren, MI and Harrisonburg, VA…Only seven to go!

More when we get it!

My recommendation for answers, if refugee resettlement is coming to your community, is to call the US State Department directly (see contact info. in the Fact Sheet at the top of this blog)  and don’t rely on your Democratic Senators and Congressmen (they will be useless, and you will waste time while you think they are doing something).  Take action by going directly to the people.  Get a grassroots letter writing campaign going to the local newspapers and TV stations. 

 

US rides to the rescue in Malta

~ Ann Corcoran ~ Leave a comment

They are lining up around the world to come to America. 

The tiny Mediteranean island nation of Malta is being overrun with illegal immigrants leaving northern and eastern Africa trying to get to the European Union countries to the north.   Like all countries faced with a flood of illegals, Malta’s social services, security, public order and social fabric are strained.  The EU has not been helpful.

But fear not, the US is coming to the rescue.   According to a July 13, 2007 article in the “The Times” of Malta, “Refugees flock to Valletta for chance of move to US.”  

Refugees made it clear yesterday they would gladly leave the island for good as they thronged outside the UN Refugee Agency’s office in Valletta hoping to qualify for the resettlement scheme to the US.

The police had to be called in to disperse the crowd of about 200, who tried to get into the UNHCR’s office in Strait Street, Valletta.

About 200 refugees are to be resettled in the US in a move that is expected to go some way towards easing Malta’s illegal immigration woes. Though the initiative is a one-off, the US government is contemplating taking in 200 immigrants from Malta every year thanks to a proposal steered by the UNHCR.

http://www.timesofmalta.com/core/article.php?id=267992

[note how easily this article interchanges the words refugees and illegal immigrants]

Yes, the UN High Commission on Refugees says jump and since we have so many border crossing illegals of our own we can just start taking other countries  law breakers.   What’s 200 more illegal immigrants here or there anyway?