Tag: federal refugee contractors

On Day One! Biden Administration will be between a “rock and a hard place” on immigrants/refugees

~ Ann Corcoran ~ Leave a comment

That is, if he and Kamala make it to the White House.

They campaigned on reversing all of what they claim were draconian policies by the Trump White House to slow the flow across our southern border and to halt the influx of impoverished, possibly sick, low skilled workers, eg. refugees to America.

Will Biden be called a racist if he leaves many of Trump’s immigration policies in place? Not a chance!

Since the Chinese virus reared its ugly head in the spring, much of the Trump team’s actions were to slow the arrival of the COVID-19 virus potentially arriving with the migrants.

As a result Trump was called a racist and a white nationalist by the Biden-supporting media.

Now I am seeing one story after another about how the Harris/Biden administration might have to go very slowly to unravel Trump’s efforts to keep America safe and Americans working.

LOL!  I will be looking for the Leftist media to label Biden an evil racist when he will almost certainly not be able to fling open America’s gates for months or even years!

It wasn’t long after Election Steal Day in the weeks following November 3rd, that the stories began popping up about a new surge on the border.

Here is one from CBS:

U.S. agents apprehend 1,000 migrant children in 6 days as crossings along Mexican border rise

By the way, unaccompanied alien children are the responsibility of the US Office of Refugee Resettlement at the Department of Health and Human Services.

Many paragraphs into the story we learn that oopsy(!), maybe Joe and Kamala cannot immediately reverse Trump’s immigration control strategies, especially as Americans will be furious if it is done while the virus rages on.

Mr. Biden’s team has also pledged to review the expulsions policy to ensure border-crossers “have the ability to submit their asylum claims.”

https://twitter.com/seleeandrew

Andrew Selee, president of the non-partisan Migration Policy Institute, said ending the “Remain in Mexico” program and the expulsions too quickly could lead to a surge in border crossings.

He suggested the incoming Biden administration could end Remain-in-Mexico but temporarily retain the expulsion policy, a scenario that could be complicated by legal challenges and reporting that shows public health officials were pressured by the White House to authorize the expulsions.

Selee said an influx in border arrests could hurt chances of a divided Congress passing immigration legislation, including one that provides a pathway to U.S. citizenship for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) beneficiaries. Republicans lawmakers blamed the DACA program for a surge in border apprehensions of Central American children in 2014, even though the policy, established in 2012, did not benefit new arrivals.

Before completely ending Mr. Trump’s policies, Selee said the incoming Biden administration should deploy more asylum officers, surge resources to the border and expand case management programs that allow migrants to complete their U.S. immigration proceedings outside of detention centers. Otherwise, he added, a sharp increase in unauthorized migration could leave the U.S. government unprepared, worsen conditions in temporary migrant holding facilities and lead to more draconian enforcement policies.

“You’re stuck between a rock and a hard place: Either you start releasing people in the general population or you hold them in the middle of a pandemic,” Selee said. 

“If you try to be the anti-Trump on day one, you will end up acting like Trump in the end,” he added. “If you try and throw out everything Trump has done on day one, without having an alternative in place, you’ll end up doing the same things Trump did.”

Read it all here.

And, here (read it yourself) is a more recent warning about the ‘kids’ rushing the border.  From USA Today:

Thousands of unaccompanied minors arrive at US-Mexico border as Border Patrol grapples with COVID-19 deaths

Lowering expectations?

And, a little nugget in this news from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette indicates that the Refugee Resettlement Industry has begun to tamp down expectations for a huge jump in new refugees being flown into your towns and cities anytime soon.

Biden campaigned on restoring the flow of refugees into the country from Trump’s less than 20,000 annual refugee admissions to a whopping 125,000 in year one he said!

Pittsburgh 2017 anti-Trump rally. Will they protest if Biden doesn’t move fast enough to reverse Trump’s policies?  Not a chance.

Pittsburgh-area agencies await word on Biden’s refugee plan

Deep into this story we have this news that the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society is telling its satellite offices that the flood isn’t coming right away.

While the Biden team hasn’t detailed its plans, Ms. Aizenman has heard speculation from her agency’s national affiliate that there might be some increases later in 2021, with a higher ceiling in 2022.

But wait! That is not what we heard BEFORE November 3rd.

(Ms. Aizenman is the director of refugee and immigrant services at Jewish Family and Community Services which is a subcontractor of HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society)).

We had a hint that increases in refugee numbers might not be coming here the other day.

If Biden and Harris (or Harris and someone else!) are installed in the White House, we will be watching! I know it is serious, but I anticipate being amused as they squirm to get out from between a rock and a hard place.

Clever America Firsters will have to figure out how to keep up the pressure on that rock.

Interfaith Leaders Tell the Prez: We Want 95,000 Refugees!

~ Ann Corcoran ~ Leave a comment

And, when do we want them—NOW!  Or, to be exact beginning in 22 days!

The Obama/Biden administration never came near to admitting the “historic norm” of 95,000 refugees in one year, but the religious left never attacked them for it and the mainstream media was mum about it. Biden says he wants 125,000 in his first year.

As part of the on-going campaign to pressure the President to open our gates wide to more third world poverty, hundreds of “faith leaders” signed a letter last week urging the President to return to “historic norms” of resettlement even as they know he won’t. (For more posts on this year’s Presidential Determination see tag FY2021.)

The letter and its release is just one more PR stunt by the hard ‘religious’ leftists in the run-up to the November election.

(By the way, even the great and glorious Obama never came near to admitting 95,000 refugees in one year!  See the chart in this post.)

They say that Trump is preventing them from fulfilling their spiritual practice.

But, I want to know if America has run out of poor and suffering people who could really use their support!

And, who is stopping them from going to other parts of the world and helping the poor where they live, in their own cultural zones.

Here is a portion of the letter sent to the President last week.

And, I have posted all of the names who have signed it so you might see if you know anyone on the (political) religious Left in your community.  (Three resettlement contractor/political agitator ringleaders are in red.)

September 2, 2020
President Donald J. Trump
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear President Trump and Members of Congress,

As 471 religious leaders and 135 faith-based organizations across traditions, we write to express our deep support for welcoming refugees and restoring the refugee resettlement program to historic norms of 95,000. In the last three years, the administration has cut refugee resettlement by more than 80%, from the historic average goal of 95,000 to just 18,000 – an all-time low. We urge the administration to restore the refugee resettlement program to historic norms and commit to resettling 95,000 refugees in FY21 (the historic average).

We are called by our sacred texts and faith principles to love our neighbor [Yeh, foreign neighbors, because loving Americans is not cool!—ed], accompany the vulnerable, and welcome the sojourner.

Our congregations, synagogues, and mosques have historically played key roles in assisting refugees with housing, language, employment, and social supports necessary for rapid and effective resettlement into U.S. communities. Yet, our commitment to offer refuge from violence and persecution requires our government to demonstrate the moral leadership upon which our nation was founded.

At no other time has our moral responsibility to uphold these principles been greater. War, conflict, and persecution have forced millions to leave their homes, creating more refugees than at any other time in history. There are 79.5 million displaced persons worldwide, including more than 29 million refugees, over half of whom are children. The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that global resettlement needs have doubled in recent years reaching over 1.44 million refugees in 2020. We grieve for the refugees who now face increasingly dismal chances at finding safety and who are affected by COVID-19, as well as refugee families still waiting to be reunited.

The reduction in national partners translates to a loss of capacity, expertise, and opportunity, and it prevents Americans of faith from fulfilling part of their spiritual practice.

We urge the administration to reverse course and to commit to resettling 95,000 refugees in FY21. Our collective scriptural mandate and our nation’s history and capabilities as a world leader demand no less.

Sincerely,

Faith Organizations

ADL (Anti-Defamation League)
All Saints Church
Alliance of Baptists
Ascentria Care Alliance
Beit Ahavah Reform Synagogue of Greater Northampton
Benedictine Sisters of Erie
Bethany Christian Services
Bethany Church
Border Perspective
CAIR-Ohio
Caminando Juntos – Presentation Sisters Hispanic Ministry Center
Catholic Charities of Los Angeles
Chobo-Ji Zen Practice Center
Christ the Servant Justice Seekers
Christian Community Development Association
Christian Reformed Church Office of Social Justice
Church World Service
Church World Service Harrisonburg
CIJPIC VEDRUNA
Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach
Conference of Presentation Sisters
Congregation of Our Lady of the Good Shepherd, U.S. Provinces
Congregation of Sisters of IHM, Scranton
Congregation of St. Joseph
DC-MD Justice For Our Neighbors
Disciples Center for Public Witness (Disciples of Christ)
Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries
Dominican Sisters
Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa
ELCA
Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Faith Action Network – Washington State
Faith Communities Organizing for Sanctuary
Faith Lutheran Church Immigration Justice Group
First Community Church
First United Methodist Church of Seattle
Franciscan Sisters of the Poor
Franklin Federated Church
Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries
Friends Committee on National Legislation (Quakers)
Georgia Interfaith Public Policy Center
HIAS
Holy Spirit Lutheran Church
Holy Spirit Lutheran Church Refugee Resettlement Committee
Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters – USA – JPIC
HOPE for All: Helping Others Prosper Economically
Iglesia La Luz en el Barrio
IHM Sisters Leadership Council
InnerCHANGE
Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Insure Our Future
Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice
Interfaith Refugee & Immigration Service
Islamic Relief USA
J Street
J4R Church
Jesuit Refugee Service/USA
Jesus 4 Revolutionaries, M25
Jewish Federations of North America
Jewish Women International
Justice, Peace and Reconciliation Commission, Priests of the Sacred Heart, US Province
Kadima Reconstructionist Community
Kansas Interfaith Action
Keystone Congregational Church
Leadership Conference of Women Religious
Leadership Team of Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN
Lutheran Advocacy – Minnesota
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry – Pennsylvania
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry – Colorado
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry – New Mexico
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
Member of St. Leo’s Catholic Church
Minnesota Council of Churches
Missio Alliance
Mission and Justice Commission of St. John’s Presbyterian Church
Moravian Church Northern Province
Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees
National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd
National Council of Churches
National Council of Jewish Women
National Council of Jewish Women, Greater Long Beach & West Orange County
Neighborhood Ministries
NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice
Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies
NHCUCC Immigrant and Refugee Support Group
North Carolina Council of Churches
Northminster Presbyterian Church
Northwestern Minnesota Synod ELCA
Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters
Pax Christi USA
Pennsylvania Council of Churches
Presbyterian Office of Public Witness
Purchase Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends
Reformed Church of Highland Park
Saint Mark’s Cathedral
School Sisters of Notre Dame – Central Pacific Province
Shalom United Church of Christ
Sister, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Sisters of Charity of Nazareth Congregational Leadership
Sisters of Charity of New York
Sisters of Charity, BVM
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas – Justice Team
Sisters of Providence
Sisters of Social Service
Sisters of St. Joseph
Sisters of St. Francis, Sylvania Ohio
Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden, PA
Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester
Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield
Sisters of the Presentation
Sojourners
Springfield Dominican Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Committee
St. Louis Inter-Faith Committee on Latin America (IFCLA)
St. Louise Catholic Community
St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church
St. Matthew Trinity Lunchtime Ministry
Stephen Ministry
T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights
The Episcopal Church
The Swedenborgian Church
Third Way Church
Together for Hope Louisiana
UniLu
Union for Reform Judaism
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
United Church of Christ
United Methodist Church
University Lutheran Church
Upper Dublin Lutheran Church
Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy
Welcome Table Christian Church (DoC)
West Virginia Council of Churches
Wind of the Spirit Immigrant Resource Center

Faith Leaders: 

National

Deacon Melanie Johnson, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Rev. Dr. Ken Brooker Langston, Disciples Center for Public Witness
Secretary Karen Nielsen Conger, The Swedenborgian Church
Dharma Teacher Kaira Lingo, Order of Interbeing
Executive Director Justin Rabbach, Moravian Board of World Mission
CEO Sheila Katz, National Council of Jewish Women
Rev. Terrence Moran, Office of Peace, Justice, and Ecological Integrity, Sisters of Charity of Saint
Elizabeth
Rev. Melodie Long, PCUSA
Mr. Jonathan Boyne, Universalist
Sr. Lisa Stallings, Sisters of Providence
Rabbi Rachel Kahn-Troster, T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights
Sister Eileen Gannon, OP, Dominican Sisters of Sparkill
Sr. Beverly Heitke, Sisters of the Divine Savior
Brother Michael Gosch, Clerics of St. Viator (Viatorians)
SSND Anna Marie Reha, School Sisters of Notre Dame
Sister Rita Heywood, Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur USA
Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
Sr. LaDonna Manternach, Sisters of Charity, BVM
Sr. Carol Zinn, SSJ, Leadership Conference of Women Religious
Sr. Veronique Wiedower, Sisters of the Holy Cross
Sister Ruth Battaglia, Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Office, Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes
Rabbi Salem Pearce, T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights
Sister Dominica Lo Bianco, OSF, Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia
Past President Carol Blythe, Alliance of Baptists
Rev. Dr. Wendy Hunter Roberts, Spirit Without Walls
Rev. Reggie Smith, Christian Reformed Church Office of Social Justice
Rev. Dr. Sharon Stanley-Rea, Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries
Sr. Peggy Kenny, Holy Spirit Sisters
Sr. Rose Therese Nolta, SSpS, Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters, USA-JPIC
Executive Director Pablo DeJesus, Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice
Pastor Colin Watson, Christian Reformed Church in North America

Arizona

Elder Cassandra Fraley, Presbyterian Church (USA)
Rev. Kenneth Kennon, The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Bishop Elias Galvan, United Methodist
Elder Ellen Vellenga, PCUSA
Mrs. Jo Vredenburg, Desert Palm UCC, Tempe, AZ
Rev Dr Randy Mayer, The Good Shepherd United Church of Christ
Ms. Becky Klein, Desert Palm United Church of Christ
Rev. Tom Martinez, Desert Palm UCC
Imam Ahmad Shqeirat
Rev. Christiane Heyde, Unitarian Universalist
The Rev. Dr. Eric Ledermann, University Presbyterian Church (PCUSA)
Ms. Rosalina Baldonado, Immaculate Heart Community
The Rev Dr. James W Ewing, PhD Jamed Ewing, Desert Palm UCC
Dr. Kit Danley, Neighborhood Ministries
Rev. Ailsa Guardiola Gonzalelz, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Tucson AZ
Rabbi Dean Shapiro, Temple Emanuel of Tempe

Arkansas
Co-President Sharon Berman, Temple Shalom of Northwest Arkansas
Co-President Toby Klein, Temple Shalom of Northwest Arkansas
Rev. Dr. Clint Schnekloth, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Spiritual Director John Ray, The Abide Collective
Rev. Mark Snodgrass, Bentonville Community Church of the Nazarene
Dr. Alan Johnson, Rogers First Church of the Nazarene
Pastor Jarod Ring, Keypoint Church

California

Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Via, RCWP Bishop
Rev. Diane Mettam, United Methodist Church
Rev Margaret Decker, Trinity Episcopal Church
Rev. Mary Will, United Methodist Church
Rev. Sandie Richards, First United Methodist Church of San Fernando
Rev. Beverly Brewster, Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church
Dr. Charlene Jin Lee, Presbyterian Church U.S.A.
Rev. David Mosgofian Koeker, Summerland Presbyterian Church
Rev. Emily Lin, Twin Towers United Methodist Church
Ms. Marian Cruz, Journey for Justice
Dr. David A. Smith, Irvine UCC
Rev. Dr. Eileen Altman, First Congregational Church of Palo Alto, UCC
Rev. Marilyn Chilcote, Beacon Presbyterian Fellowship
Rev. Robert McKenzie
Reverend Toni Stuart, St. Michael’s University Church
Sister Patricia Reinhart, Sisters of the Presentation, San Francisco
Rev. Allan B. Jones, United Methodist Church
Sister Jayne Helmlinger, CSJ, Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange
Rev. David Watermulder, Presbyterian Church of Los Gatos
Sr. Jean Schafer, S.A.V.E. Advocacy
Sr. Sheila Novak, S.A.V.E. Advocacy
Rev. Joellynn Monahan, theSpiralWay.org
Sister Catherine Burke, San Miguel Parish
Sr. Julie Kubasak, Daughters of Charity
Rev. Dr. Matthew Colwell, Knox Presbyterian Church
Rev. Marsha Harris, Central Lutheran Church-ELCA
Rev. Deacon Catherine Wagar, Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles
Rev Joe Roos, Peace Mennonite Fellowship
The Rev. Joanne Leslie, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church
Rev. Frank Alton, St. Athanasius Episcopal Church
The Rt. Rev. Diane Jardine Bruce, Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles
Elder Glenda Pawsey, St.John’s Presbyterian Church, Berkeley, CA
Fr. Richard Estrada, Church of the Epiphany
The Rt. Rev. John Taylor, Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles
Rev. Canon Jaime Edwards-Acton, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
Reverend Canon Susan Russell, All Saints Church, Pasadena
Rev Guy Leemhuis, Holy Faith Episcopal Church
The Rev Thomas Carey, Church of the Epiphany
Rev. Mike Kinman, All Saints Episcopal Church
Pastor JC Arce, Iglesia del Pacto
Rev. Paul Elder, St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church
Rev. Dr. Robert & Erica Romero, J4R Church
Deacon Nathanael Bacon, San Francisco RC Archdiocese/ INNERCHANGE
Rabbi Jonathan Klein, HOPE for All: Helping Others Prosper Economically
Rabbi Suzanne Singer, Temple Beth El
Rev. Donald Smith, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Ms. Christine Barker, Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries
Rev. Simon Biasell, Presbytery of San Joaquin
Rabbi Greg Wolfe, Congregation Bet Haverim
Rabbi Nancy Myers, Temple Beth David

Colorado

Rev Aaron Strietzel, Non-denominational
Rev. Gregory Garland, United Church of Broomfield
Mark Meeks, Capitol Heights Presbyteian Church
Rev. Gary Weaver, First Presbyterian
Rev Bonita Bock, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Rev. Dr. Robert Moss, Lutheran Church of the Master

Connecticut

Reverend Carla Dietz, First Congregational Church of Greenwich
The Rev. Shannan Vance-Ocampo, Presbytery of Southern New England
Rabbi Jordie Gerson, Greenwich Reform Synagogue

Delaware

Sister Ruth O’Connor, Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia

Florida
Rev Margaret E Howland, Presbytery of Hudson River
Rev. Dr. Hiram Irizarry, UCC Minister, Ret
Rabbi Jason Rosenberg, Congregation Beth Am

Georgia

Mr. Hilton Austin Jr, ELCA Southeastern Synod Advocacy
Ms. Marty Nelson, Catholic Church
Rev. Joyce Myers-Brown, Central Congregational United Church of Christ
Lay Leader Dorothy Foster, Nacoochee Presbyterian Church

Illinois

Rev. Jeremiah Thompson, Malta United Methodist Church
Rev. Larry Dunlap-Berg, United Methodist Church – Northern Illinois Conference
Rev. Dr. Linda Eastwood, McCormick Theological Seminary
Rev Kurt Simon, Presbyterian Church USA
Pastor Jeffrey Phillips, United Church of Christ
Sister Mary Carr, Dominican Sisters
Sister Marilyn Kofler, Sisters of Providence
Sister Marcelline Koch, Dominican Sisters, Springfield, IL
The Erica & Harry John Family Professor of Catholic Theological Ethics Dawn M. Nothwehr, OSF, Ph.D.,
Rochester Minnesota Franciscans
Sister Anita Cleary, Dominican Sister of Springfield Illinois
Ms. Anne Hilofsky, Springfield Dominican Associate
Sr. Kathlyn Mulcahy, OP, Dominican Sisters of Springfield
Sister Mary Clare Fichtner, Dominicans of Springfield, IL
Sister Teresina Grasso, Sisters of Providence
Sister Barbara Sheehan, Sisters of Providence
Sister Jane Beckman, Dominican
Father John Peeters, Saint Patrick Parish
Rev. Donald A. Riemer, St John United Church of Christ
Rev. Charles Bolser, Clerics of Saint Viator
Brother John Eustice, Clerics of St. Viator
Sister Jean Okroi, Illinois Women Religious against Human Trafficking
Sister Kathleen Ryan, OP, Dominican Literacy Center, Aurora
Sr. Lori Kirchman, Dominican Sisters of Springfield, IL
Rev. Dr. Nayoung Ha, HANA Center
Rabbi Isaac Serotta, Makom Solel Lakeside

Indiana

Rev. Sarah Nowak, Pleasant View Lutheran Church, ELCA
Sr. Ginger Downey, Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters
Sister Mary Beth Klingel, Sisters of Providence
Sister Marjorie White, Sisters of St. Joseph TOSF
Congregational Minister Christa Franzer, Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg
Sr Barbara Battista SP, Sisters of Providence
SP Ann Casper, Sisters of Providence, Saint Mary-of-Woods, IN
Sister Mary Montgomery, Sisters of Providence
Sister Beth Wright, Sisters of Providence Saint Mary-of-the-Woods Indiana
Ms. Karen Sagraves, Central Christ Church
Gloria Memering, Sisters of Providence
Sister Mary Mundy, Sisters of Providence of St. Mary of the Woods, IN
Sister Mary C Duffy, Sisters of Providence of St. Mary of the Woods, IN
Sister Connie Kramer, SP, Sisters of Providence
Roman Catholic Jean Kenny, Sisters of Providence – Saint Mary of the Woods
Claire Hanson Claire Hanson, Sisters of Providence
Sister Rebecca Keller, Sisters of Providence, Saint Mary of the Woods, IN
Sister Donna Butler, Sisters of Providence
Sister Barbara Ann Bluntzer, SP, Sisters of Providence, St. Mary-of-the-Woods
Sr. Emily TeKolste, Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana
Sister Maureen Abbott, Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods
SP Sister Martha Wessel, Sisters of Providence
Sr. Marsha Speth, Sisters of Providence
Dr. Rosemary Nudd, Sisters of Providence
Mrs. Jeanne Frost, Central Christian Church, Disciples of Christ
Sister Cathleen Campbell, Sp, Sisters of Providence
Sister Carole Kimes, Sisters of Providence St Mary of the Woods
Sister Barbara Reder, Sisters of Providence
Sr. Jeanette Hagelskamp, Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN
Sister Denise Wilkinson, Sisters of Providence of St. Mary of the Woods
Sister Rita Clare Gerardot Rita Gerardot, Sisters of Providence, St. Mary-of-the-Woods, IN
Providence Associate Amy Miranda, Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods

Iowa

Rev. and Ms Jim and Barbara Dale, First United Methodist Church
Reverend Eugene C Kutsch, Catholic Archdiocese of Dubuque, IA
Sister Richelle Friedman, Sisters of the Presentation
Sister Mary McCauley, Crossing Borders – Dubuque
Sister Maura McCarthy, Sisters of the Presentation
Sister Nancy Miller, Sisters of St. Francis of Dubuque
Sister Joy Peterson, Sisters of the Presentations
Sister Rita Menart, Sisters of the Presentation

Kansas

Elder Ken Grenz, Great Plains UMC, Retired
Rev Laurie Anderson, IJAM-Immigrant Justice Advocacy Movement
Sister Therese Bangert, Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth

Kentucky

Student Will Compton, Vanderbilt Divinity School
Sister Janice Downs, Sisters of Charity of Nazareth
Sister Carolyn Wilson, Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, KY
Sister Mary Middendorf, Sister of Charity of Nazareth
Sister Marilyn Shea
Sister Marlene Lehmkuhl, Sisters of Charity of Nazareth
Sister Therese Arru, Sister of Charity of Nazareth
Sister Anna Marie Rhodes, Sisters of Charity of Nazareth
Sister Sarah Ferriell, Sisters of Charity of Nazareth
Sister Theresa Knabel, Sisters of Charity of Nazareth
Sister Carole Kaucic, Sisters of Charity of Nazareth
Sister Mary Ellen Doyle, SCN, Sisters of Charity of Nazareth
Sister Rosemarie Kirwan, Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, Kentucky

Louisiana

Father Mark Watson, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Maine

Rev. Dr. Jacquelyn Brannen, United Methodist Church
Pastor Lorraine Kardash, Portland New Church
Rev. Donald Ashmall, International Council of Community Churches

Maryland

Rev. Charles Booker, Bethesda Presbyterian Church
Sister Marie McCarthy, Sisters of Providence
Rev. Melina Frame, Ecumenical Catholic Communion

Massachusetts

United States Mary Martha Thiel, United Church of Christ
Sister Betty Cawley, Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston
Jessica Price, Justice and Witness Ministry, United Church of Christ NH
Sister Anne Marie O’Shea, Sisters of Charity of Nazareth
Rabbi Kenneth Carr, Temple Chayai Shalom
United States William Krum, Eastham United Methodist Church
Rabbi Riqi Kosovske, Beit Ahavah

Michigan

Sister Karen Donahue, Sisters of Mercy
Rev. Barb McRae, P.C.U.S.A.
Rev. Monica M. Villarreal Monica Villarreal, Salem Lutheran Church
The Rev. Dr. Marcia Ledford, Political Theology Matters, LLC
The Rev. Ruth Overdier Ruth Overdier, Bethany Lutheran
Sr. Rosemarie Abate, Sisters, Home Visitors of Mary
Rev. Allan Martling, UCC
Sister Patricia McCluskey, IHM, IHM Sisters, Monroe, MI
Sr. Marianne Gaynor, IHM Sisters
Deacon Kim Winchell, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Sr. Mary Ellen McDonald, Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters
Treasurer Margaret Chapman, SSIHM
Sr. Ellen Rinke, IHM, Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Monroe, MI

Minnesota

Rev. Thomas Uphaus, United Church of Christ
Rev. Jane McBride, First Congregational Church of MN, UCC
Bishop Thomas Aitken, Northeastern Minnesota Synod, ELCA
Pastor Terri Churchill, Third Way Church
Retired Pastor Joetta Handrich Schlabach, Faith Mennonite Church
Rev. Jennifer M.B. Moran, Moravian
Bishop Steven Delzer, Southeastern Minnesota Synod, ELCA
CSJ Consociate Hannah Pierson, Sister of St. Joseph

Missouri

Sister Carol Boschert, Sisters of the Most Precious Blood of O’Fallon, MO
Catherine Norris, Provincial of the Daughters of Charity, Province of St. Louise
Sister Danielle Bonetti, Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.org
Sister Marilyn Gottemoeller, RSM Marilyn Gottemoeller, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas
Sr. Christine Garcia
Sister Joan Tolle, Sisters of St. Joseph

Nebraska

Rev. Dr. Damon Laaker, Grace Ev. Lutheran Church
Sister Margaret Hickey, Notre Dame Sisters, Omaha Province

New Jersey

Rev. David Shaw, Union Congregational Church, UCC
United States Russell Eidmann-Hicks, Reformed Church of Highland Park
The Rev. Carroll Arkema, Service for Counseling
Teacher Craig Clark, The Church of the Good Shepherd of Fort Lee, NJ (episcop.)

New Mexico

Reverend Judy Bierbaum, Na
Rev. Talitha Arnold, United Church of Santa Fe
Rev. Wesley Granberg-Michaelson, Reformed Church in America, General Secretary Emeritus
The Rev. Benjamin Larzelere, Lutheran, ELCA
Rev. (Rtd.) Jack Anderson, ELCA
Rev. Dr. Dusty Pruitt, United Church of Christ
Reverend Gary Kowalski, Unitarian Congregation of Taos, New Mexico

New York

Rabbi Salem Pearce, T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights
Rev. Kathy Donley, Emmanuel Baptist Church
Reverend John Long, Presbytery of Western New York
Sister Carol De Angelo, Sisters of Charity of New York
The Rev. Dr. Earl Johnson, Allbany Presbytery. PCUSA
The Reverend Tamara K Razzano, First Presbyterian Church, Little Falls
The Rev. Steven Plank, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Rabbi Michael Feinberg, Greater New York Labor Religion Coalition
Rabbi Jennie Rosenn, Organizational Strategist
Ms. Claudia De Bellis, Sayville United Church of Christ
Reverend John Martin, Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers
Sister Doreen Glynn, Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet
Sister Phyllis Tierney, Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester
Sr. Susan Wilcox, Sisters of St. Joseph, Brentwood, NY Office of Justice, Peace, Integrity of Creation
Communications Director Mary Smith, Church Women United in New York State
Elder Maria Studer, United Presbyterian Church
Sister Mary Jo Tallman, Sisters of St. Joseph
Sister Mary Bookman
Sister Charla Whimple, Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet
Sister Dolores Stevens
Sr Mary Ellen Shirtz, Sisters of St Joseph
Sister Mary Barron, Society of the Sisters of St. Joseph
Sister Maureen D’Onofrio, Sisters of St. Joseph
CSJ Associate Nancy Koltko, Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet
Sister Joanne St. Hilaire, Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet
Sister Jean Keating, Society of the Sisters of St. Joseph
Sister Patricia Houlihan, Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet
Ms. Patricia John, Associate of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet
Sister Sharon Bailey, Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester
Sister Jacqueline Johnas, Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet
Sister Maria Kellner, SSJ, Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester, NY
Sister Marie Aloysius Schuh, Sister or St. Joseph of Carondelet
Sr Maureen McGowan, Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd
Rev. Mark Lukens, Bethany Congregational UCC
Sister Honora Kinney, Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet
Sister Jeanne Lippincott, Sisters of St. Joseph
Sr. Margaret Keddell, Sisters Of St. Joseph

North Carolina

The Rev Christine Payden-Travers, Retired Episcopal priest
Reverend Cathy Tamsberg , Pullen Memorial Baptist Church
Deacon GeoRene Jones, NC Synod-ELCA
The. Reverend Danielle DeNise, North Carolina Synod, ELCA
Rev. Marsha Anderson, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Rev. Dr. Douglas Wingeier, Brooks-Howell Home
Rabbi Emily Losben-Ostrov, Temple of Israel

Ohio

The Rev. Marjorie Menaul, St. Alban’s Episcopal Church
Rev. Katharine L. Steele, First United Methodist Church
Rev. Luther Young, Woodland Christian Church
Sister Catherine Beck, Ursuline Sisters
Sister Virginia Ann Froehle. R.S.M. Virginia A. Froehle, Religious Sisters of Mercy
Sister Sheilamarie Tobbe, Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland
Sister Jacquelyn Gusdane, Sisters of Notre Dame
Sister Margaret Gorman, SND
Oregon
The Reverend Dennis James Sagun Parker, St. David of Wales
Chair of immigration Joanne McClarty, Journey/Koinania Catholic Community
The Reverend Cecil Prescod, Ainsworth United Church of Christ
Member Orice Klaas, Journey Koinonia Community
Rev. Dave Bean, United Methodist
Rev. Dr. Eileen Dunn, Presbyterian Church USA
Dr. Daniel Brown, St. Philip Neri, Peace and Justice Commission
Sister Kathleen Cordes, Society of the Holy Child Jesus

Pennsylvania

Rev. Sandra Strauss, Market Square Presbyterian Church
Pastor Timothy Seitz-Brown, Lower Susquehanna Synod, Interim Pastor
Deacon Thomas Yenser, Atonement Lutheran Church
Ms. Deb Lorah, St. John Center Lutheran Church
Director of Children’s Ministry Stephanie Johnson, St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church
Mrs. Joyce Ray, First Lutheran Church
Rev. Sandra Mackie, ELCA
Rev. Dr. Gilson Waldkoenig, United Lutheran Seminary
The Reverend Frank Sayford, Retired member of Family of God Lutheran Church
Deacon Kathleen Afflerbach, St John’s Evangelical
Ms Jane Forry, Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
Rev. Fredrica Meitzen, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Deacon Beth Barkhau, Reformation Lutheran Church
Rev. Paul Hagedorn, Tabernacle Lutheran Church, Philadelphia
Sunday School Supt. Donald Hossler, St Peters Lutheran
Ms. Kathleen Murphy, ELCA
Rev. Roy Stetler, Faith United Lutheran Parish
Ms. Susan Barclay, Lazarus Gate Food Pantry
Ms. Janice Horn, Grace Lutheran, Clarion
United States Allan Wysocki, St. Paul Lutheran
Ms. Joan Elizabeth Seader, St John’s Lutheran Church-Melrose Park, PA
Rev. Deborah Mahady, Christ Lutheran Church
Rev. Dr. Patricia Snyder, St. Matthew Lutheran Church
Rev. Kim Truebenbach, ELCA
Rev. Theodore Cockley, St. John Lutheran Church, Montgomery, PA
Rev. Dr. Richard Stewart, United Lutheran Seminary (retired)
Rev. Daryl Nelson, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Mrs. Sandra Brandt, Tree of Life Lutheran Church
Rev. Julie Recher, Atonement Lutheran Church
Rev. Susan Winger, Trinity Lutheran Church, Somerset, PA
Rev. Sigrid Hipkiss, Trindle Spring Lutheran Church
Rev. Ross Carmichael, St. Andrew Lutheran Church
Pastor Paul Metzloff, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Rev. David Fisher, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Millersville, PA
Sister Frances Murray, Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia
Rev. John Yost, First Evangelical Lutheran Church
The Rev. William & Rosemary Krenz, Former LIRS Resettlement Leaders
Sister Rose Patrice Rose Patrice Kuhn, IHM
Sister Eileen Marnien , Sisters of Saint Joseph of Saint Joseph of Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, PA
Sr. Patrice Hughes, Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill
Rev. Dr, Joe Leonard, American Baptist Clergy
Sister Diane Bardol, Insure Our Future
Sister Sharon Costello, CSJ Sharon Costello, Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden, PA
Rev. Michael K. Fischer Michael Fischer, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Mrs. Judy Weber, Perry Highway Lutheran Church
Deacon Carol Detweiler, New Hanover Lutheran Church
Sr. Toby Lardie, HM, Sisters of the Humility of Mary
Rabbi Charles Briskin, Shir Ami
Rabbi Beth Kalisch, Beth David Reform Congregation
Rabbi Paula Goldberg, Shir Ami

South Carolina

Rev. Hillary Taylor, Bethany/Zoar United Methodist Charge

South Dakota

Rev. Mrs. Jean McCusker, United Church of Christ (Retired)
Rev. Dr. Julia Aegerter, Retired

Tennessee

Ms. Elizabeth Welliver, Vanderbilt Divinity School
Rev Michael Arseneau, Lakeview Fellowship
Pastor Shelby Lewis, Vanderbilt Divinity School
Miss Tiffany Jones, United Church of Christ
Student of Vanderbilt Divinity School Perrin Bailey, University United Methodist Church
Dr. Mary Early-Zald, First Unitarian Universalist Church Nashville
Pastor and Worship Leader and Youth Pastor and Seminarian and Child of Church Communities
Rebecca Griffin, Christ UMC (Mobile, Al), Brookmeade UCC (Nashville, TN), Vanderbilt Divinity School
Rev. Dr. Lillian Lammers, Vanderbilt Divinity School
Student Diane Palmer, Vanderbilt Divinity School
Rev. Brandon Gilvin, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
The Rev. Brad Whitaker, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Rev. Katrina Payne, The Mission Chattanooga
Pastor Joshua Miles Baker, Mission Chattanooga
Rev. Ann Weaver, Mission Red Bank
Reverend Matt Busby, Mission Chattanooga
Rev. Laura Becker, Northminster Presbyterian Church
Rev. V. Thomas Banks, Ashland Terrace Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
The Rev. Leyla King, Thankful Memorial Episcopal Church
Rev. C. Barry Kidwell, Mustard Tree Ministries, Inc.
Reverend Martha Louisa Tucker, Episcopal
Rev. Tricia Dillon Thomas, Renaissance Presbyterian Church
The Rev. Claire Brown, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

Texas

Sister Cecile Roeger, Dominican Sisters of Houston
Rev. Robert Mueller, Divine Redeemer Presbyterian Church
Rev. Dr. Edward Kern, Trinity Lutheran Church ELCA
Ms. Barbara Grove, St. David’s Episcopal Church
Sister Sharon Altendorf, Presentation Sisters
Rev. Dr. Bart Roush Bart Roush, Madison Square Presbyterian Church
Rev. Virginia Courtney, Madison Square Presbyterian Church
Sister JT Dwyer Sister, Daughters of Charity
Rev. Jessie Light-Wells, PC(USA)
United States Sister Miriam Mitchell, Sisters of the Holy Spirit and Mary Immaculate
Pastor Mark Cloherty, Iglesia La Luz en el Barrio
Mr. Sami DiPasquale, Abara Frontiers
Rabbi Geoffrey Dennis, CCAR
Rabbi Nancy Kasten, Faith Commons
Sister Katrina Ruane, Sisters of the Holy Spirit
Dr. Monty Lynn, Highland Church of Christ

Vermont

Reverend Jan Jorgensen, Essex Association, United Church of Christ

Virginia

Reverend Laura Stratton, Page UMC
Rev. Max Blalock, William & Mary Wesley Campus Ministry
Elder Rachel Sutphin, Columbia Theological Seminary
The Rev. Kelly Bayer Derrick, Virginia Synod ELCA
Pastor William King, Luther Memorial Lutheran (retired)
Bishop Robert F Humphrey, Virginia Synod, ELCA
Rev. Drew Nettinga, United Church of Christ
Rev. Jonathan Hamman, Rural Retreat Lutheran Parish
Rev. Patrick Freund, North Mountain Lutheran Parish
Rev. Dr Mary Louise Brown, St. Paul Lutheran Church Strasburg, VA
The Rev. Lance Karl Braun, Parish Pastor Lance Karl Braun, Mount Tabor and Redeemer Lutheran Churches
Rev. John Wertz, Virginia Synod, ELCA
Rev. Ingrid Chenoweth, Good Shepherd Ev. Lutheran Church
Rev. Barbara Krumm, Martin Luther Evangelical Lutheran Church
Dawnielle Miller, Landmark Community Church
Mr. Leons Kabongo, Young Jupiter Market Garden
Pastor Justin Pearson, Sojourn Church
Rev. Tim Bobbitt, First Christian Church of Alexandria
Rabbi Elizabeth Goldstein, Congregation Ner Shalom
Rev. Dr. Nathan Swenson-Reinhold, Lord of Life Lutheran Church
Rev. Annabelle Markey, Community Lutheran Church
Rev. Kate Davidson, Faith Lutheran Church
Rabbi Doctor Rosalind A. Gold, Retired

Washington

Reverend Paul Benz, Faith Action Network – Washington State
Rev Kay Barckley, University Temple UMC
Rabbi Avi Fine, Temple De Hirsch Sinai
Rev. Kathleen McCallum Sachse, Holy Spirit Lutheran Church
Rev. Ruth Marston-Bihl, Trinity United Methodist Church, Seattle
The Rev. Kathleen Patton, St. Anne’s Episcopal Church
Rev. Tim Feiertag, Trinity Lutheran Church
Rev. Catharine Cline, United Church in University Place
Children’s Ministry Director Becky Cole, Holy Spirit Lutheran Church
Rev. Chelsea Globe, ELCA
Rev. Francine Inslee, Community of Christ
Rev. Terry Teigen, United Church of Christ
Member Mary Fournier, Woodland Park Presbyterian Church
Member Nancy Horman, Selfwoodland Park Presbyterian Church
Rev. Meighan Pritchard, Prospect United Church of Christ
Rev Judi Edwards, United Church of Christ
Rev. Karyn Frazier, Fauntleroy Church, United Church of Christ
Rev. Kerry Kesey, Englewood Christian Church
Me. Carol Long
Rev. Cynthia L. Salo, Central Lutheran Church
Rev. Dr. Dee Eisenhauer, Eagle Harbor Congregational United Church of Christ

Washington, DC

Dr. James Winkler, National Council of Churches
Bro. Brian McLauchlin, Divine Word Missionaries
Sister Maureen Foltz, Carmelite Sisters of Charity
The Reverend Jadon Hartsuff, All Souls Episcopal Church
Rev. Alisa Lasater Wailoo, Capitol Hill United Methodist
Rabbi Hannah Spiro, Hill Havurah

West Virginia

Rev. Jeffrey Allen, West Virginia Council of Churches

Wisconsin

Rev. Dr. Frederick Trost, Lake Edge UCC, Madison, WIPlease Select
Reverend Robert Harman, United Methodist Church
Ms. Susan Elias, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church
Sr. Karen Fredrickson, Dominican Sister
Sister Lois, Racine Dominicans
Rev Tom Williams, Retired
SP Dorothy Rasche, Sisters of Providence
Rev. Edward Kilianski, Priests of the Sacred Heart
Sister Debra Sciano, School Sisters of Notre Dame

Refugee Industry Holds Three Day Lobbying Campaign, Wants 95,000 Refugees for FY2021

~ Ann Corcoran ~ Leave a comment

The Refugee Council USA (RCUSA) just completed a three-day grassroots lobbying campaign to pressure members of Congress into supporting a refugee admissions ceiling of 95,000 refugees*** who would begin arriving in the US in a few short weeks—the 2021 fiscal year begins October 1.

Of course it isn’t Congress that makes that decision it is the Executive branch as stated by law in the Refugee Act of 1980.  Their campaign, that ran from Tuesday through Thursday this week, was designed for several reasons.

They want Senators and members of Congress to pressure the administration, they want the media to pay attention to an issue that has almost completely disappeared from the news, and they want to give their groupies and grassroots around the country something to do on an issue that they think makes the President look bad before November.

You can see their “toolkit” (they love toolkits) complete with talking points and contact information for representatives in Washington.

Here is their sample script because I guess they assume their people aren’t smart enough to figure out what to say:

Sample Script: “I’m your constituent from [CITY/TOWN], and I urge you to hold the administration accountable to resettling refugees. The administration is required by law to consult with Congress by September 30th before deciding the refugee admissions goal for Fiscal Year 2021. In the last three years, the administration has cut refugee resettlement by more than 80%, from the historic average goal of 95,000 to just 18,000 – an all-time low. Our country can – and should – safely resettle more refugees and reunite more families. Refugees have contributed greatly to America in ordinary times, and have continued to show up for their new communities during the COVID-19 crisis, with many on the frontlines, including 176,000 serving as healthcare workers and 175,000 working in the food supply chain. Please do everything in your power to see that the administration meaningfully consults with Congress and builds back refugee admissions to the historic norm of 95,000. My community welcomes refugees, and I urge you to reflect the best of our nation by supporting refugee resettlement.”

In addition to contacting one’s own rep, they want their folks to contact the following members and Senators:

Sen. Graham (R-SC), Chair, Senate Judiciary Committee: 202-224-5972 / @LindseyGrahamSC
Sen. Cornyn (R-TX), Chair, Senate Immigration Subcommittee: 202-224-2934 / @JohnCornyn
Sen. Feinstein (D-CA), Ranking Member, Senate Judiciary Committee: 202-224-3841 / @SenFeinstein
Senator Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member, Senate Immigration Subcommittee: 202-224-2152 / @SenatorDurbin
Rep. Nadler (NY-10), Chair, House Judiciary Committee: 202-225-5635 / @RepJerryNadler
Rep. Lofgren (CA-19), Chair, House Immigration Subcommittee: 202-225-3072 / @RepZoeLofgren
Rep. Jordan (OH-04), Ranking Member, House Judiciary Committee: (202) 225-2676 / @Jim_Jordan
Rep. Buck (CO-04), Ranking Member, House Immigration Subcommittee: 202-225-4676 / @RepKenBuck

Read it all here.

And, see my extensive file on the Refugee Council USA, the Washington DC lobbying arm of the refugee industry.  Hmmmm! At one point Islamic Relief USA had been removed from their membership roster, but I see it is back.

Don’t miss my post from Wednesday about the campaign to get local elected officials on board to support huge numbers of refugees for your towns and cities.

***Joe Biden says he is going to go big and change whatever Trump proposes to 125,000 for FY2021 if he is elected President. Truth be told, there isn’t enough capacity within the contractor industry to support that number, heck they can’t adequately resettle 95,000 now either.

Elected Officials in over 360 Towns and Cities Tell Trump to Admit 95,000 Refugees Beginning October 1

~ Ann Corcoran

The Open Borders Agitators love this sort of action.  They put together a list (in this case of hundreds of signatures) to pressure the President as he gets near the decision point on determining how many third world refugees will be admitted to live in your towns and cities.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti asks the President to send him more impoverished people because LA doesn’t have enough!

The media laps it up!

It is a win-win for groups like HIAS who live off of your tax dollars.  Either they do get Trump to move in their direction (earlier the White House signaled that the number could be zero) and split the difference when they ask for an outrageously large number, or they get to bash him further in advance of the 2020 presidential race for anything short of their 95,000!

Last year they asked for 75,000 and got 30,000.  See last year’s publicity stunt  here. (See if any of your elected officials signed it, here.)

Now here is the Amnesty International press statement put out yesterday (on 9/11) about this year’s demands.

361 BIPARTISAN ELECTED OFFICIALS FROM 46 STATES URGE PRESIDENT TRUMP TO WELCOME REFUGEES

You can read that yourself.

Below is the opening paragraph of this year’s letter followed by those who signed it.

See if an elected official in your town or city is asking the President to admit 95,000 refugees beginning in less than three weeks.

President Donald J. Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

As leaders in our community elected at all levels of state and local government, we write today to express our strong support for resettling refugees in our states and communities and to urge your Administration to resettle at least 95,000 refugees in Fiscal Year 2020.We hope that you consider the voices of communities across the country as we join together in support of this life-saving program that brings so much to our collective communities and express our desire to help protect refugees in need.

Read the remainder of the letter, here.

Now see the list! (I think it is a very useful thing to know who is working to change America by changing the people!):

Alabama
Neil Rafferty, State Representative, Birmingham

Alaska
Andrew Josephson, State Representative, Anchorage

Arizona
Ylenia Aguilar, School Board Member, Phoenix
Lela Alston, State Senator, Phoenix
Richard Andrade, State Representative, Phoenix
Isela Blanc, State Representative, Tempe
Andres Cano, State Representative, Tucson
Steven Chapman, School Governing Board Member, Phoenix
Cesar Chavez, State Representative, Phoenix
Andrea Dalessandro, State Senator, Green Valley
Devin Del Palacio, Tolleson Union School District Governing Board Member, Tolleson
Elora Diaz, School Governing Board Member, Phoenix
Kirsten Engel, State Representative, Tucson
Diego Espinoza, State Representative, Phoenix
Charlene Fernandez, State Representative, Yuma
Rosanna Gabaldon, State Representative, Phoenix
Kate Gallego, Mayor, Phoenix
Carlos Garcia, District 8 Councilmember, Phoenix
Betty Guardado, District 5 City Councilwoman, Phoenix
Berdetta Hodge, Tempe Union Governing Board President, Tempe
Lauren Kuby, Vice Mayor, Tempe
Jennifer Longdon, State Representative, Phoenix
Juan Mendez, State Senator, Tempe
Otoniel “Tony” Navarrete, State Senator, Phoenix
Katie Paetz, Osborn School Board Member, Phoenix
Channel Powe, Balsz School District Governing Board President, Phoenix
Pamela Powers Hannley, State Representative, Phoenix
Stanford Prescott, Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board Member, Phoenix
Martín Quezada, State Senator, Phoenix
Rebecca Rios, State Senator, Phoenix
Tony Rivero, State Representative, Phoenix
Diego Rodriguez, State Representative, Laveen
Jonathan Rothschild, Mayor, Tucson
Athena Salman, House Minority Whip, Tempe
Victoria Steele, State Senator, Phoenix
Monica Trejo, School Board Member, Tempe
Raquel Teran, State Representative, Phoenix

Arkansas
Lioneld Jordan, Mayor, Fayetteville
Sarah Marsh, Vice Mayor and City Council Member, Fayetteville
Teresa Turk, City Council Member, Fayetteville

California
Eric Garcetti, Mayor, Los Angeles
Ben Allen, State Senator, Santa Monica
Tom Butt, Mayor, Richmond
Bob Blumenfield, City Councilmember, Los Angeles
Paul Koretz, City Councilmember, Los Angeles
Sheila Kuehl, County Supervisor, Los Angeles
Marc Levine, Assemblymember, San Rafael
Don Saylor, County Supervisor, Yolo County

Colorado
Michael Hancock, Mayor, Denver
KC Becker, State Representative, Boulder
Stephen Fenberg, State Senator, Boulder
Dominick Moreno, State Senator, Commerce City
Adam Paul, Mayor, Lakewood
Dave Young, Colorado State Treasurer, Greeley

Connecticut
Matt Blumenthal, State Representative, Stamford
Raghib Allie-Brennan, State Representative, Bethel
Robin E. Comey, State Representative, Branford
Hacibey Catalbasoglu, Alderman, New Haven
Patricia Dillon, State Representative, New Haven
Roland Lemar, State Representative, New Haven
Matthew Lesser, State Senator, Middletown

District of Columbia
Muriel Bowser, Mayor
Brianne Nadeau, Councilmember
Elissa Silverman, At-Large Councilmember

Delaware
Rysheema Dixon, City Council Member-at-Large, Wilmington
Linda Gray, 1st District Councilwoman, Wilmington
Debra Heffernan, State Representative, Wilmington

Florida
Buddy Dyer, Mayor, Orlando
Trish Becker, County Commissioner, St. Augustine
Erica Connor, Supervisor, Ponte Vedra Beach
Anna Eskamani, State Representative, Orlando
Kristin Jacobs, State Representative, Coconut Creek
Al Jacquet, State Representative, Mangonia
Evan Jenne, State Representative, Hollywood
Shevrin Jones, State Representative, West Park
Dotie Joseph, State Representative, Miami
Amy Mercado, State Representative, Orlando
Cindy Polo, State Representative, Hialeah
Carlos Guillermo Smith, State Representative, Orlando
Victor Torres, State Senator, Kissimmee

Georgia
Yterenickia Bell, City Council Member, Clarkston
Anthony S. Ford, Mayor, Stockbridge
Patti Garrett, Mayor, Decatur
Deana Holiday Ingraham, Mayor, East Point
Ted Terry, Mayor, Clarkston

Idaho
David Bieter, Mayor, Boise
Mathew Erpelding, State Representative, Boise
Maryanne Jordan, State Senator, Boise
Mark Nye, State Senator, Pocatello

Illinois
Lori Lightfoot, Mayor, Chicago
Alma Anaya, County Commissioner, Cook County
Luis Arroyo Jr., County Commissioner, Cook County
Scott Britton, County Commissioner, Cook County
James Cappleman, Alderman, Chicago
Kelly Cassidy, State Representative, Chicago
Melissa Conyears-Ervin, Treasurer, Chicago
John Cullerton, Illinois Senate President, Chicago
John P. Daley, County Commissioner, Cook County
Bridget Degnen, County Commissioner, Cook County
Sara Feigenholtz, State Representative, Chicago
Laura Fine, State Senator, Glenview
Robyn Gabel, State Representative, Evanston
Will Guzzardi, State Representative, Chicago
Maria Hadden, Alderwoman, Chicago
Brandon Johnson, County Commissioner, Cook County
Matt Martin, Alderman, Chicago
Donna Miller, County Commissioner, Cook County
Kevin B. Morrison, County Commissioner, Cook County
Harry Osterman, Alderman, Chicago
Toni Preckwinkle, President, Cook County
Debra Silverstein, Alderman, Chicago
Peter N. Silvestri, County Commissioner, Cook County
Deborah Sims, County Commissioner, Cook County
Michele Smith, Alderman, Chicago
Larry Suffredin, County Commissioner, Cook County
Anna Valencia, City Clerk, Chicago
George Van Dusen, Mayor, Skokie

Indiana
John Hamilton, Mayor, Bloomington
Zach Adamson, City County Councilor, Indianapolis

Iowa
Marti Anderson, State Representative, Des Moines
Art Staed, State Representative, Cedar Rapids
Stacey Walker, County Commissioner, Linn County

Kansas
Brandon Johnson, City Council Member, Wichita
Mary Ware, State Senator, Wichita

Kentucky
Logan Nance, City Council Member, Midway
Kathy Plomin, City Council Member, Lexington
Susan Westrom, State Representative, Lexington

Louisiana
Erika L. Green, City Councilwoman, Baton Rouge

Maine
Pious Ali, Council Member At-Large, Portland
Kristen S. Cloutier, Mayor, Lewiston

Maryland
Malcolm Augustine, State Senator, Hyattsville
Brian Feldman, State Senator, Annapolis
Jessica Feldmark, State Delegate, Columbia
Dannielle Glaros, County Council Member, Prince George’s County
Ana Sol Gutierrez, State Delegate, Chevy Chase
Edouard Haba, City Councilman, Hyattsville
Julian Ivey, State Delegate, Cheverly
David Moon, State Delegate, Silver Spring
Joseline Peña-Melnyk, State Delegate, College Park
Paul Pinsky, State Senator, Hyattsville
Jeffrey Slavin, Mayor, Somerset
Kate Stewart, Mayor, Takoma Park
Deni Taveras, County Council Member, Prince George’s County
Rocio Treminio-Lopez, Mayor, Brentwood
Jeff Waldstreicher, State Senator, Annapolis
Jheanelle Wilkins, State Delegate, Silver Spring
Patrick L. Wojahn, Mayor and Council, College Park

Massachusetts
Harriette Chandler, State Senator, Worcester
Annie Gilbert, Selectwoman, Andover
Laura Gregory, Selectwoman, Andover
Daniel Koh, Select Board Member, Andover
Alex Morse, Mayor, Holyoke
Tram Nguyen, State Representative, Andover
Denise Provost, State Representative, Somerville
William Reichelt, Mayor, West Springfield
Shannon Scully, School Committee Member, Andover
Jeffrey Thielman, School Committee Member, Arlington
Holly Vietzke-Lynch, School Committee Member, North Andover

Michigan
Christopher Taylor, Mayor, Ann Arbor
Rosalynn Bliss, Mayor, Grand Rapids
Stephanie Chang, State Senator, Detroit
Abdullah Hammoud, State Representative, Dearborn
Ruth Kelly, City Commissioner, Grand Rapids
David LaGrand, State Representative, Grand Rapids
Steven Maas, Mayor, Grandville
Karen Majewski, Mayor, Hamtramck
Kurt Metzger, Mayor, Pleasant Ridge
Robert Wittenberg, State Representative, Huntington Woods

Minnesota
Tim Walz, Governor, Minnesota
Melvin Carter, Mayor, St. Paul
Jacob Frey, Mayor, Minneapolis
Jennifer Julsrud, City Councilmember, Duluth
Fue Lee, State Representative, St. Paul
John Lesch, State Representative, St. Paul
Sandra Pappas, State Senator, St. Paul
Dave Pinto, State Representative, St. Paul
Mitra Nelson, City Councilmember, St. Paul

Missouri
Lyda Krewson, Mayor, St. Louis
Kip Kendrick, State Representative, Columbia
Martha Stevens, State Representative, Columbia

Montana
Kim Abbott, State Representative, Helena
Dick Barrett, State Senator, Missoula
Emma Kerr-Carpenter, State Representative, Billings
Mary Ann Dunwell, State Representative, Helena
Jessica Karjala, State Representative, Billings
Bob Kelly, Mayor, Great Falls
Connie Keogh, State Representative, Missoula
Jasmine Krotkov, State Representative, Neihart
Margaret MacDonald, State Senator, Billings
Mary McNally, State Senator, Billings
Andrea Olsen, State Representative, Missoula
David Strohmaier, County Commissioner, Missoula
Katie Sullivan, State Representative, Missoula

Nebraska
Tony Vargas, State Senator, Omaha

New Hampshire
Safiya Wazir, State Representative, Concord
Karen Zook, City Councilor, Lebanon

New Jersey
Joshua Fine, Borough Council Member, Highland Park
Catherine Gural, Deputy Mayor, Montgomery
Sadaf Jaffer, Mayor, Montgomery
Gayle Brill Mittler, Mayor, Highland Park
Marvin Schuldiner, Township Committee Member, Montgomery=

New Mexico
Timothy Keller, Mayor, Albuquerque
Renee Villareal, Councilwoman, Santa Fe

New York
Noam Bramson, Mayor, New Rochelle
Byron W. Brown, Mayor, Buffalo
Kathy Sheehan, Mayor, Albany
Lovely Warren, Mayor, Rochester
Patricia Fahy, Assemblymember, Albany
Liz Krueger, State Senator, New York
Amy Paulin, Assemblymember, Scarsdale
Linda B. Rosethal, Assemblymember, New York
Steven Weinberg, Mayor, Village of Thomaston
David Weprin, Assemblymember, Fresh Meadows
Gregory Young, Supervisor, Gloversville

North Carolina
Pam Hemminger, Mayor, Chapel Hill
Steve Schewel, Mayor, Durham
Marikay Abuzuaiter, City Council Member-At-Large, Greensboro
Vickie Adamson, County Commissioner, Wake County
Jessica Anderson, Mayor Pro Tem, Chapel Hill
John Autry, State Representative, Charlotte
James Barrett, School Board Member, Chapel Hill
Natalie Beyer, Board of Education Member, Durham
Javiera Caballero, City Council Member, Durham
Heidi Carter, Durham County Commissioner, Durham
Jay Chaudhuri, State Senator, Raleigh
Christy Clark, State Representative, Huntersville
Susan Fisher, State Representative, Asheville
Brenda Howerton, County Commissioner, Durham
Mark Jackson, Town Councilman, Archer Lodge
Wendy Jacobs, Chair of the Durham County Board of Commissioners, Durham
Jillian Johnson, Mayor Pro Tempore, Durham
Michelle Kennedy, City Council Member, Greensboro
Audra Killingsworth, Town Council Member, Apex
Lydia Lavelle, Mayor, Carborro
Nasif Majeed, State Representative, Raleigh
Stef Mendell, City Council Member, Raleigh
Graig Meyer, State Representative, Chapel Hill
Wiley Nickel, State Senator, Raleigh
Renée Price, County Commissioner, Hillsborough
Damon Seils, Alderman, Carrboro
Kandie Smith, State Representative, Greenville
Karen Stegman, Town Council Member, Chapel Hill
Nicole Stewart, City Council Member-At-Large, Raleigh
Jennifer Weaver, Mayor Pro Tempore, Hillsborough
Mike Woodard, State Senator, Durham

North Dakota
Tim Mahoney, Mayor, Fargo
John Strand, City Commissioner, Fargo

Ohio
Nan Whaley, Mayor, Dayton
Elizabeth Brown, City Council President Pro Tempore, Columbus
David Donofrio, South-Western City Schools Board of Education Member, Columbus
Emmanuel Remy, Councilmember, Columbus
Peter Ujvagi, City Councilman, Toledo

Oklahoma
Carrie Blumert, County Commissioner, Oklahoma County
James Cooper, City Councilmember, Oklahoma City
JoBeth Hamon, Ward 6 City Councilmember, Oklahoma City
Carri Hicks, State Senator, Oklahoma City
Cyndi Munson, State Representative, Oklahoma City
Collin Walke, State Representative, Oklahoma City

Oregon
Denny Doyle, Mayor, Beaverton
Chloe Eudaly, Commissioner, Portland
Alissa Keny-Guyer, State Representative, Portland
Rita Moore, PhD, Portland Public Schools Board of Education Director, Portland
Lori Stegmann, County Commissioner, Portland
Stephanie Stephens, David Douglas School District School Board Member, Portland

Pennsylvania
James F. Kenney, Mayor, Philadelphia
William Peduto, Mayor, Pittsburgh
Danene Sorace, Mayor, Lancaster
Danilo Burgos, State Representative, Philadelphia
Jason Dawkins, State Representative, Philadelphia
Janet Diaz, City Councilwoman, Lancaster
Elizabeth Fiedler, State Representative, Philadelphia
Isabella Fitzgerald, State Representative, Philadelphia
John Graupera, City Councilmember, Lancaster
Jordan A. Harris, State Representative, Philadelphia
Art Haywood, State Senator, Philadelphia
Malcolm Kenyatta, State Representative, Philadelphia
Joanna McClinton, State Representative, Philadelphia
Dan Miller, State Representative, Pittsburgh
Eric Papenfuse, Mayor, Harrisburg
Maria D. Quinones Sanchez, City Councilmember, Philadelphia
Joseph Schember, Mayor, Erie
Michael Schlossberg, State Representative, Allentown
Erika Strassburger, City Councilmember, Pittsburgh
Chris Rabb, State Representative, Philadelphia
James Reichenbach, City Council President, Lancaster
Rosita C. Youngblood, State Representative, Philadelphia

Rhode Island
Jorge Elorza, Mayor, Providence
Gayle Goldin, State Senator, Providence

South Carolina
Stephen Benjamin, Mayor, Columbia
Carol Jackson, City Council Member, Charleston

South Dakota
Reynold Nesiba, State Senator, Sioux Falls

Tennessee
David Briley, Mayor, Nashville
Madeline Rogero, Mayor, Knoxville
Fabian Bedne, Metro Council Member, Nashville
John Ray Clemmons, State Representative, Nashville
Jason Powell, State Representative, Nashville

Texas
Steve Adler, Mayor, Austin
Eric Johnson, Mayor, Dallas
Ron Nirenberg, Mayor, San Antonio
Clay Jenkins, County Judge, Dallas

Utah
Jacqueline Biskupski, Mayor, Salt Lake City
Jani Iwamoto, State Senator, Salt Lake City
Mark A. Wheatley, State Representative, Salt Lake City

Vermont
Anne Watson, Mayor, Montpelier
Miro Weinberger, Mayor, Burlington
Tim Briglin, State Representative, Thetford
Thomas I. Chittenden, City Councilor, South Burlington
Ali Dieng, City Councilor, Burlington
Meaghan Emery, City Council Vice Chair, South Burlington
Maxine Grad, State Representative, Moretown
Jack Hanson, City Councilor, Burlington
Debbie Ingram, State Senator, Williston
Kristine Lott, Mayor, Winooski
Karen Paul, City Councilor, Burlington
Franklin Paulino, City Councilor, Burlington
Ann Pugh, State Representative, Montpelier
Helen Riehle, City Council Chair, South Burlington
Lisa Ryan, Alderwoman, Rutland
Robin Scheu, State Representative, Middlebury
Joan Shannon, City Councilor, Burlington
Michael Sirotkin, State Senator, South Burlington
Michael Yantachka, State Representative, Charlotte
Maida F. Townsend, State Representative, South Burlington
Theresa Wood, State Representative, Waterbury
Michael Yantachka, State Representative, Charlotte
David Zuckerman, Lt. Governor, Montpelier

Virginia
Justin Wilson, Mayor, Alexandria
Creigh Deeds, State Senator, Charlottesville
Kaye Kory, State Delegate, Falls Church
Mark Levine, State Delegate, Alexandria
Dave Marsden, State Senator, Burke
Scott Surovell, State Senator, Mt. Vernon

Washington
Jay Inslee, Governor, Olympia
April Barker, City Council Member, Bellingham
Reuven Carlyle, State Senator, Seattle
Jeannie Darneille, State Senator, Tacoma
Mona Das, State Senator, Auburn
Todd Donovan, County Councilmember, Bellingham
Jake Fey, State Representative, Tacoma
Joe Fitzgibbon, State Representative, West Seattle
David Frockt, State Senator, Seattle
Mia Gregerson, State Representative, SeaTac
Bob Hasegawa, State Senator, Seattle
Sam Hunt, State Senator, Olympia
Karen Keiser, State Senator, Des Moines
Patty Kuderer, State Senator, Olympia
Mary Leavitt, State Representative, University Place
Debra Lekanoff, State Representative, Bellingham
Michael Lilliquist, City Council Member, Bellingham
Kelli Linville, Mayor, Bellingham
Liz Lovelett, State Senator, Anacortes
John McCoy, State Senator, Tulalip
Gerry Pollet, State Representative, Seattle
Chris Roberts, City Councilmember, Shoreline
Christine Rolfes, State Senator, Bainbridge Island
Cindy Ryu, State Representative, Seattle
Rebecca Saldana, State Senator, Seattle
Sharon Tomiko Santos, State Representative, Seattle
Lillian Ortiz-Self, State Representative, Mukilteo
Tana Senn, State Representative, Mercer Island
Derek Stanford, State Senator, Bothell
Hannah Stone, City Council Member/At-Large Representative, Bellingham
Gael Tarleton, State Representative, Seattle
Javier Valdez, State Representative, Seattle
Pinky Vargas, City Council Member, Bellingham
Amy Walen, State Representative, Kirkland

Wisconsin
Carousel Andrea Bayrd, County Commissioner, Dane County

Wyoming
Charles Pelkey, State Representative, Laramie

They are still looking for more signatures for their propaganda stunt letter, see here.

Boo Hoo! Charitable organizations which resettle refugees forced to raise private funds

~ Ann Corcoran ~ Leave a comment

You have probably seen them—bushels of stories about how the nine federal resettlement contractors are wailing and moaning as Trump cuts off their refugee/money flow—but I was surprised that the Wall Street Journal didn’t do a little better job of putting it all in perspective.
For new readers like Nancy, here are the nine federal resettlement contractors (aka Volags, short for Voluntary Agencies, Ha! Ha!) that make up the “refugee-resettlement industry:”

 
The WSJ does make it clear that these NON-Profit groups (six are ostensibly religious groups) are paid by the head to place refugees in your towns and get them signed up for their stuff.  For the first few years that I wrote this blog, mainstream media never mentioned that fact!  So, yes, their budgets will vary as they have become almost completely dependent on federal money for their salaries/benefits, office rental, travel, etc.
For them to be whining that they have to raise private money for their ‘religious’ charitable work as refugee numbers vary makes me want to scream. When the Refugee Act of 1980 became law it was supposed to be a public-private partnership, but as the years have passed, federal funding (and state and local funding!) has become a greater and greater share.

Before I give you the latest whine-fest from the WSJ, here is how the contractors got in to this pickle.  Obama set the CEILING for FY17 at 110,000 in his final months in office.  The WSJ tells us it was the highest ceiling since 1995. Thus the contractors were building their budgets on a pipe dream of more paying clients (aka refugees) than they have had for years and years.
That 110,000 was, by far, Obama’s highest ceiling as we have reported ad nuaseum and as you can see in this chart from the Refugee Processing Center and is being used dishonestly as the benchmark for measuring the Trump flow:
 

Note that the US DOS has gotten around to removing the 110,000 ceiling for FY2017. This chart last month still listed it. See last month here: https://refugeeresettlementwatch.org/2017/05/05/despicable-usa-today-says-refugee-numbers-plummet-under-trump-but-were-silent-when-obama-monthly-numbers-were-low/

 
Last night I wondered just how the first seven months of the fiscal year matched up (FY17 runs from October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017).  At the end of April we are 7 complete months in to the fiscal year, and those wailing contractors have been paid handsomely for 7 months based on the fact that by April 30,2017 we had admitted more paying clients/refugees than any of the previous ten years.  Do the math using the chart above!
As of the end of April, the US admitted 42,414 refugees, the highest number in the first seven months of any of the years since before FY07.  In fact, Bush had the lowest first seven months in 2007—17,150, but even Saint Obama had only 26,181 in FY12 as of April 30th. He never had a year with this high number (by April 30th) in his time in office.

Now here are a few snips from the Wall Street Journal giving the contractors another opportunity to wail and moan!
Although, I have to laugh to see the phrase “refugee-resettlement industry” in the first line!

Even though President Donald Trump’s travel ban has been put on hold, his administration is already reshaping the refugee-resettlement industry.

The Trump administration has cut the rate of refugee arrivals in half in the first months of the year [this is so dishonest!—ed] and charity organizations that settle refugees are slashing their budgets in response.

Has Hetfield slashed his salary? https://refugeeresettlementwatch.org/2016/11/13/hebrew-immigrant-aid-society-lectures-trump-never-mentions-its-pecuniary-interest-in-refugees/

More than half of the nine agencies that are approved by the State Department to resettle refugees in the U.S. have already either laid off staff or frozen hiring. Some agencies have let hundreds of people go. Many are staging fundraising campaigns the help make up for lost federal funding, which is tied to new refugee arrivals but also supports programs for refugees already here.

“We’ve been asked by the State Department to cut our budget twice already,” said Mark Hetfield, president of HIAS, a Jewish nonprofit that resettles refugees in the U.S. HIAS has instituted a hiring freeze. “You can’t manage a program like this.”

[….]

In the last fiscal year, the federal government allocated more than $554 million for refugee admissions, and 84,994 refugees were resettled. More than $227 million of that money was distributed to the nine resettlement agencies, most of them religiously affiliated, that help newcomers adjust to the U.S.

[….]

World Relief, one of the resettlement agencies, began adding case workers in the fall, expecting a huge influx of refugees. At the organization’s 25 offices, case workers shepherd refugees through all aspects of life in America. They pick them up at the airport; set up housing, complete with furniture and clothes; advise them on searching for jobs; and help enroll children in school.

Oopsy!  As Mark Krikorian pointed out on twitter last night the reporter left out one important duty of the contractor in that line above—they sign the refugee up for all forms of welfare and move on to the next client!

WSJ continues….

Resettlement agencies had been hoping 2017 would be a banner year. In September, before the Oct. 1 start of the fiscal year, Mr. Obama announced he would raise the number of refugees allowed into the country to 110,000, the highest total since 1995. Many agencies began staffing up. [Sniffle—ed]

[….]

The nine resettlement agencies contract much of the work settling new refugees out to hundreds of local affiliates. These organizations are paid $2,075 for each refugee they resettle, the majority of which goes directly to refugee assistance. [No! About half goes to the contractor for salaries and overhead!—ed]

[….]

Many resettlement organizations have started fundraising campaigns to try to make up for lost revenue.

Pity! They actually have to go out to the public and look for private charitable dollars for their humanitarian good works.

You know what it means if they can’t find private money?  It means the public is generally not behind their efforts to import poverty and diversify American cities and towns with refugees from the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
Read the whole article here and be sure to see that Mark Krikorian is quoted.