Wisconsin, a key battleground in the 2024 presidential election, is currently a battleground over the refugee resettlement debate.
Wisconsin officials are seeking a meeting with Department of Homeland Security officials about the first group of Somali refugees to settle in the state’s Eau Claire County area. The issue is also drawing attention from members of Congress.
State lawmakers are expected to advance a bill this week that calls for more transparency in resettlement decisions. Federal law already requires federal officials to “consult regularly (at least quarterly) with state and local governments” before settling refugees in an area. In addition to requiring public comment, the state law would specifically require consultation with “elected officials” who are accountable to the public, rather than just appointed officials.
Republican state Rep. Karen Hurd introduced the bill, noting the region is already under stress due to two hospital closures and strained school districts.
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Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison (educational image)
“Wisconsin residents are the most generous, forgiving, kind, down-to-earth people. This is not what it is. This is because we didn’t know,” Hurd told Fox News Digital. . “We are realistic. We have to evaluate whether we can do this. We don’t care about the color of a person’s skin. This is about infrastructure.”
Hurd said he expects the Republican-controlled Legislature to pass the bill, but it’s unclear what Democratic Gov. Tony Evers will do if he introduces it.
DHS is working with World Relief, a Christian nonprofit affiliated with the National Association of Evangelicals, to bring 75 Somali refugees to the Eau Claire area of the Chippewa Valley by September 30th. Some residents, lawmakers and advocacy groups have concerns about federal families. A unification policy could lead to an even larger influx of refugees.
Within 20 years, the Somali refugee settlement in Wisconsin’s neighboring state of Minnesota has swelled to millions of people, according to Restoration of America, which first reported on the Wisconsin problem. Minneapolis is located approximately 160 miles from Eau Claire and has the largest Somali population in the country. The FBI reported in 2019 that dozens of military-age men in the city had joined terrorist organizations.
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“Refugee resettlement programs will not end with 75 Somalis, but potentially thousands, because each refugee will later have immediate family members, relatives, cousins, grandparents, etc. under the federal family unification policy. Because they will be allowed to be imported into Wisconsin,” said Director Hayden Ludwig. He spoke to FOX News Digital about policy research for the American Restoration.
“In just a few years, locals may find their communities, schools and emergency services filled with refugees from failed countries, including perhaps Syria, but even World Relief Officials may not be able to tell us where they are coming from. No,” Ludwig said.
State lawmakers are expected to advance a bill this week that calls for more transparency in resettlement decisions. (Daniel Acker/Reuters)
Hurd said appointed Eau Claire City Manager Stephanie Hirsch entered into a resettlement contract with World Relief without consulting the elected Eau Claire County Commission. Eau Claire County and the City of Eau Claire have separate governments. Hurd said the county, school district and emergency services will cover the cost.
Hirsch told Wisconsin Public Radio that he notified Eau Claire City Council members, adding, “There was nothing that warranted a formal process.”
The Wisconsin World Relief Agency did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding this matter. However, it has posted “Frequently Asked Questions” on its website about the planned refugee resettlement, saying the 75 refugees include 15 to 20 family units. The FAQ further asserts that DHS thoroughly vets all refugees and that refugees are a long-term net economic benefit to local communities.
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The question “What countries are the refugees resettled in the Chippewa Valley from?” “While we do not know exactly which countries the refugees resettled in the Chippewa Valley came from, the top two countries of origin for refugees resettled in Wisconsin last year were Burma and the Democratic Republic of Congo,” the group said. “More than a few people answered that way.” A percentage of the refugees resettled in Wisconsin in fiscal year 2023 were from one of these two countries, and the state plans to accept individuals and families from these two countries next year. ”
Two Republican members of Wisconsin’s congressional delegation, Rep. Tom Tiffany and Rep. Derrick Van Orden, also participated.
Republican Wisconsin Congressman Derrick Van Orden (Tom Williams/Getty Images)
In a letter to Eau Claire City Council President Emily Burge in October, Tiffany complained that the community was being “kept in the dark” about the issue.
Tiffany’s letter said taxpayers in Eau Claire and the Chippewa Valley should be given the opportunity to submit public comments on the “large number of refugees potentially from Somalia, Syria, and other unstable countries.” Ta.
“More frustratingly, representatives of this NGO reportedly met with the city administrator well before this announcement, but the city administrator did not share this information with local authorities or the public. There was no,” Tiffany wrote. He later added, “Given the precarious conditions in these countries and the Biden administration’s remarkable track record in vetting new entrants, it is unthinkable that local communities should be left in the dark in this way.” Address troubling allegations and take appropriate action. ”
Burge responded to Tiffany’s letter, writing, “Immigration is part of Eau Claire’s story,” and accusing Tiffany of not understanding federal refugee law.
“World Relief has held numerous public meetings,” Berge’s letter states. “The Refugee Act requires U.S. government agencies to consult and coordinate with state and local authorities and financially support resettlement. This is done in a transparent manner. Berge said refugee resettlement is the responsibility of the federal government, not local governments.
Congressman Tom Tiffany (Michael P. King/AP Photo)
“It is the responsibility of the U.S. government to safely and appropriately locate, integrate, and support immigrants in communities like Eau Claire,” Burge wrote.
“As a member of Congress, Congressman Tiffany is a member of the United States government. We expect and trust him to do his job. He demonstrates his knowledge, accepts his responsibilities, and holds those actions accountable to our Communicate to the public in a way that leads to action.” Shared values and deepened trust. ” In November, Van Orden said he had discussed vetting refugees with Berge, World Relief and the State Department.
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“To ensure the safety of the residents of Eau Claire, Wisconsin and the nation, I am asking the Department of State to provide detailed information on who these individuals are and the vetting procedures they have undertaken, including documentation of their suitability. “The investigation and investigation for refugee resettlement was thorough and the available information on each individual was collected and considered,” Van Orden said in a statement. .
