Election throws US plans for Syrian refugees into question

[webfact]

Election throws US plans for Syrian refugees into question

By WILSON RING

 

RUTLAND, Vt. (AP) — Arabic language classes are drawing 25 to 30 people a week in preparation for the new arrivals in town. High school students are helping collect furniture and housewares for them, and employers have inquired about giving them jobs.

 

For the past several months, Rutland has been getting ready to receive 100 mostly Syrian refugees beginning early next year. But with Donald Trump taking office in late January, Rutland's plans and those of other U.S. cities that have agreed to take in people fleeing the civil war have been thrown into question, given the incoming president's hostility to Muslim immigrants.

 

"I am not even going to hazard a guess" about the fate of the program, said Mayor Christopher Louras, who invited the newcomers in the hope they can help revitalize this shrinking, post-industrial, heroin-plagued city of 15,800.

 

In the fiscal year that just ended, the Obama administration screened and admitted nearly 12,600 Syrian refugees, who were resettled in cities and towns across the U.S. Thousands more are scheduled to arrive in the coming year.

 

During the campaign, Trump proposed a ban on Muslims entering the country and called for a moratorium on accepting Syrian refugees for fear of terrorists slipping through. He also vowed "extreme vetting" of would-be immigrants from countries plagued by extremism.

 

Presidents set the quotas for refugees allowed into the country. Once Trump takes office Jan. 20, he could cut off the flow or reduce the number the U.S. will accept. The president-elect's transition team had no comment this month on his plans.

 

Stacie Blake, spokeswoman for the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, said her organization hopes Rutland will start seeing the refugees arrive by mid-January. Once admitted to the U.S., refugees cannot be expelled unless they have committed a serious crime or are found to have lied to gain entry.

 

Rutland's plan has been welcomed by some and condemned by others, who warn that the refugees could not only pose a security threat and but also take away housing, jobs and social services from locals.

 

"It's just sad, sad. We don't need any more people here, from anyplace, but especially the Syrians, because who knows, there could be one terrorist in there. Once they're here, they're hard to get rid of. They're like a tick, or rats," Rennie Masler said.

 

Among the many other U.S. communities preparing to accept Syrians and other refugees in 2017 is Bowling Green, Kentucky, a long-time refugee resettlement community that took in about 400 mostly African immigrants this year. It expects 40 Syrians in September.

 

Albert Mbanfu, executive director of the International Center of Kentucky, a refugee resettlement agency in Bowling Green, said he isn't so sure Trump will follow through on his threats.

 

"Campaign rhetoric is completely different from governing, and there are so many things that we might say because we are in the heat of a campaign, and when we get into the practicality of things, we do it differently," Mbanfu said. He added: "I believe we will be fine."

 

Two Iraqi refugees who arrived in Bowling Green in 2009 were charged two years later with attempting to provide money and weapons to extremists in Iraq. Both are serving prison sentences.

 

The Migration Policy Institute, a nonpartisan think tank in Washington, said that of the 784,000 refugees cleared for resettlement in the U.S. since 9/11, only the two Iraqis in Bowling Green and a third man from Uzbekistan were later arrested and accused of planning acts of violence.

 

In Rutland, the mayor sees accepting refugees not just as a humanitarian gesture but as a way to boost the population and inject energy into the city, which had a booming marble-quarrying industry that was built on immigrant labor from Europe in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

 

The local hospital, restaurants, ski resorts, contractors and other employers have expressed interest in hiring the refugees, Louras said.

Rutland's population has dropped by about 700 since the 2010 census, and the city has suffered from the surge in heroin use that is hitting small-town America. Rutland has been using a mixture of law enforcement, treatment and neighborhood revitalization to fight the drug scourge with some success. It has been helping to buy and seize drug houses and either demolish them or renovate them for new owners.

 

As preparation for the refugees continue, Morgan Denehy, a Rutland County native who majored in Arabic and spent two terms in college living in north Africa, is giving the weekly Arabic lessons.

 

"Even if it's how to say 'hello,' even if you learn one or two phrases to say something to someone," he said, "it can make such a difference."

___

Associated Press writers Alicia A. Caldwell in Washington and Dylan Lovan in Bowling Green, Kentucky contributed to this report.

 

-- © Associated Press 2016-11-28

[coma]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Two Iraqi refugees who arrived in Bowling Green in 2009 were charged two years later with attempting to provide money and weapons to extremists in Iraq. Both are serving prison sentences.

 

That about says it all. For every two charged and convicted of such crimes, it would be naive to think that a great many other immigrants are doing the same, just haven't been caught yet. And let's not forget that this is just the beginning. There are many generations to come. Often second and third generation immigrants are much more extreme in their views than that of their parents.

[NeverSure]

This is the #1 reason Americans elected Trump. They want that border sealed, criminal illegals sent packing, and future immigrants thoroughly vetted. We see the messes in Europe and want no part of it.

[bark]

I feel sorry for these people but they are not an American problem. Put them in camps in Syria, protect them and feed them.

Once the country is safe, let them out to rebuild their country.

 

[Usernames]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Arabic language classes are drawing 25 to 30 people a week in preparation for the new arrivals in town.

 

Yes, come to America and never need to learn English.  A new ghetto in the making.

[bark]

1 hour ago, Usernames said:

 

Yes, come to America and never need to learn English.  A new ghetto in the making.

There has been a Ghetto in Michigan for over 10 years.

And they don't like Baseball, Apple Pie, or Chevrolet !

[cracker1]

I am sure Muslim refugees would assimilate in Muslim country's much easier than Christian Country's, or non Muslim ones ?

Perhaps that is where they should be transported to.

[gamini]

It's sad to see so many bigoted ignorant racists on this forum

[gemini81]

14 hours ago, coma said:

 

That about says it all. For every two charged and convicted of such crimes, it would be naive to think that a great many other immigrants are doing the same, just haven't been caught yet. And let's not forget that this is just the beginning. There are many generations to come. Often second and third generation immigrants are much more extreme in their views than that of their parents.

are you 2nd 3rd or 4th generation from immigrants in the USA, like most of the population? If so, should you be deported and stripped of citizenship?

[Stargeezr]

Mr. bark,  I totally agree with  you  but then again you and I are

not Obama, Clinton  or Canada's PM Trudeau.  Unfortunately

those people think the world of these refugees, and for Justin

he certainly seems to even like the dictator Castro., who

just died. Lots of praises said for this guy who had thousands

jailed and even killed.

Geezer

[coma]

7 hours ago, gemini81 said:

are you 2nd 3rd or 4th generation from immigrants in the USA, like most of the population? If so, should you be deported and stripped of citizenship?

 

Close but not quite. I am just a US proxy that fights their wars for them.

[Linzz]

On 11/28/2016 at 9:54 PM, cracker1 said:

I am sure Muslim refugees would assimilate in Muslim country's much easier than Christian Country's, or non Muslim ones ?

Perhaps that is where they should be transported to.

 

Muslim countries like SA won't take them. Besides "Muslim" encompasses too many opposing schisms, cultures , races and languages, so never going to happen. So whether we like it or not so called Christian countries are more tolerant actually.

Edited November 29, 2016 by Linzz

[simple1]

59 minutes ago, Linzz said:

 

Muslim countries like SA won't take them. Besides "Muslim" encompasses too many opposing schisms, cultures , races and languages, so never going to happen. So whether we like it or not so called Christian countries are more tolerant actually.

 

Well based upon the assumed Christian heritage members of this forum, together with the rise of 'right on center' parties in alleged 'Christian" countries, I would strongly disagree with your claim of 'tolerance'.

 

On the matter of Muslim majority countries intake of refugees, I have copied a post from Morch, who is one of the more creditable members of this forum. In addition whilst it is off topic Iran and Pakistan have hosted millions of Muslim refugees for decades.

 

Syrians in Saudi Arabia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrians_in_Saudi_Arabia

 

The Gulf States Are Taking Syrian Refugees

http://www.newsweek.com/gulf-states-are-taking-syrian-refugees-401131

 

Syria Regional Refugee Response (Egypt)

https://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/country.php?id=8

 

Syria Regional Refugee Response (overview)

https://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/regional.php

 

Iran is allied with Syria's regime, along religious fault lines (Alawites are branch of Shia Islam). Most of Syria's population (and refugees) are Sunni. Additionally there are no shared borders, and land access to Iran would be through northern Iraq, not a very hospitable territory these last few years. With regard to North African countries, there are Syrian refugees in Egypt. Libya is obviously not a suitable safe-haven, and the rest are too far.

 

Worthy to note that the bulk of refugees are hosted by Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon

Edited November 29, 2016 by simple1

[bark]

On 28/11/2559 at 3:54 PM, cracker1 said:

I am sure Muslim refugees would assimilate in Muslim country's much easier than Christian Country's, or non Muslim ones ?

Perhaps that is where they should be transported to.

Yes true. Send them to New Zealand.

[Strange]

3 minutes ago, bark said:

Yes true. Send them to New Zealand.

 

Better yet, England. 

[Morch]

On 11/28/2016 at 8:59 AM, coma said:

 

That about says it all. For every two charged and convicted of such crimes, it would be naive to think that a great many other immigrants are doing the same, just haven't been caught yet. And let's not forget that this is just the beginning. There are many generations to come. Often second and third generation immigrants are much more extreme in their views than that of their parents.

 

Often second and third generation immigrants are much more extreme in their views than that of their parents.

 

This nugget of common wisdom may explain a thing or two about Trump, seeing as he's a "third generation immigrant". Even more amusing, his grandfather actually wished to repatriate back to Germany (well, Bavaria) but was banned from doing so.

 

Historian finds German decree banishing Trump's grandfather

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/nov/21/trump-grandfather-friedrich-banished-germany-historian-royal-decree

 

Donald Trump's grandfather was banished from Germany, records reveal

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trumps-grandfather-banished-germany-records-reveal-freidrich-kallstadt-a7430636.html

 

Donald Trump's grandfather begged not to be deported from Germany, letter reveals

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/11/21/donald-trumps-grandfather-begged-not-deported-germany-letter/

 

Trump's grandfather 'kicked out of Germany for avoiding military service'

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/11/22/politics/trump-grandfather-germany-friedrich/