being with us today and Ian we’re really excited about the message that you can
excited about the message that you can
excited about the message that you can share with our community so I think
share with our community so I think
share with our community so I think going off of Watson’s introduction of
going off of Watson’s introduction of
going off of Watson’s introduction of you we just want to hear a little bit
you we just want to hear a little bit
you we just want to hear a little bit about the services that Chris provides
about the services that Chris provides
about the services that Chris provides for refugees and immigrants in Columbus
for refugees and immigrants in Columbus
for refugees and immigrants in Columbus and a little bit of insight into what
and a little bit of insight into what
and a little bit of insight into what you do sure so thank you so much for
you do sure so thank you so much for
you do sure so thank you so much for inviting me chris is community refugee
inviting me chris is community refugee
inviting me chris is community refugee and Immigration Services and we were
and Immigration Services and we were
and Immigration Services and we were founded in nineteen ninety-five our
founded in nineteen ninety-five our
founded in nineteen ninety-five our first office was in the garage at the
first office was in the garage at the
first office was in the garage at the Laotian temple on the east side and
Laotian temple on the east side and
Laotian temple on the east side and we’ve graduated from a garage and now
we’ve graduated from a garage and now
we’ve graduated from a garage and now actually have a building so about 60
actually have a building so about 60
actually have a building so about 60 employees now aside from the nine that I
employees now aside from the nine that I
employees now aside from the nine that I had to lay off last week Chris does
had to lay off last week Chris does
had to lay off last week Chris does refugee resettlement work which means we
refugee resettlement work which means we
refugee resettlement work which means we help refugees who have come directly
help refugees who have come directly
help refugees who have come directly from overseas get settled into their
from overseas get settled into their
from overseas get settled into their housing social security office health
housing social security office health
housing social security office health screening all those things that need to
screening all those things that need to
screening all those things that need to happen that first 90 days that a refugee
happen that first 90 days that a refugee
happen that first 90 days that a refugee comes to the US and then after that we
comes to the US and then after that we
comes to the US and then after that we pick up with programs to help people
pick up with programs to help people
pick up with programs to help people find jobs learn English we have legal
find jobs learn English we have legal
find jobs learn English we have legal services program how I got involved in
services program how I got involved in
services program how I got involved in 1998 as a volunteer lawyer and I never
1998 as a volunteer lawyer and I never
1998 as a volunteer lawyer and I never seem to leave so yeah I’ve been I’ve
seem to leave so yeah I’ve been I’ve
seem to leave so yeah I’ve been I’ve been there for a while probably oh my
been there for a while probably oh my
been there for a while probably oh my gosh were you even born then not quite
so for a few days I’ve been working
so for a few days I’ve been working there a few days so where’s the
there a few days so where’s the
there a few days so where’s the connection really start with you do you
connection really start with you do you
connection really start with you do you connect with the refugees and immigrants
connect with the refugees and immigrants
connect with the refugees and immigrants before they come to America’s so how
before they come to America’s so how
before they come to America’s so how does that start off we do have some
does that start off we do have some
does that start off we do have some involvement in helping file applications
involvement in helping file applications
involvement in helping file applications for people before they come but the way
for people before they come but the way
for people before they come but the way the processing works is somebody is
the processing works is somebody is
the processing works is somebody is forced to leave their home country they
forced to leave their home country they
forced to leave their home country they flee to another country and I’ll use the
flee to another country and I’ll use the
flee to another country and I’ll use the example of the Bhutanese because I don’t
example of the Bhutanese because I don’t
example of the Bhutanese because I don’t think many people are aware that
think many people are aware that
think many people are aware that Columbus actually has the largest
Columbus actually has the largest
Columbus actually has the largest Bhutanese Nepali refugee population in
Bhutanese Nepali refugee population in
Bhutanese Nepali refugee population in the country so
the Bhutanese were forced out in the
the Bhutanese were forced out in the early 90s and went to Nepal their new
early 90s and went to Nepal their new
early 90s and went to Nepal their new poly ethnicity and predominantly Hindu
poly ethnicity and predominantly Hindu
poly ethnicity and predominantly Hindu and they then lived in a refugee camp
and they then lived in a refugee camp
and they then lived in a refugee camp for almost 20 years it’s the United
for almost 20 years it’s the United
for almost 20 years it’s the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees job to provide protection and so they’re
job to provide protection and so they’re
job to provide protection and so they’re in the camp and they sit there and they
in the camp and they sit there and they
in the camp and they sit there and they sit there and they start businesses and
sit there and they start businesses and
sit there and they start businesses and they start forming a structure for
they start forming a structure for
they start forming a structure for education and so some of the children
education and so some of the children
education and so some of the children you know get education while they’re
you know get education while they’re
you know get education while they’re there and the first priority for the UN
there and the first priority for the UN
there and the first priority for the UN is that people repatriate that they go
is that people repatriate that they go
is that people repatriate that they go home that’s the first choice of you know
home that’s the first choice of you know
home that’s the first choice of you know for any refugee can they go home but
for any refugee can they go home but
for any refugee can they go home but typically that’s not possible so the
typically that’s not possible so the
typically that’s not possible so the second choice then is they would be
second choice then is they would be
second choice then is they would be integrated into the country that they
integrated into the country that they
integrated into the country that they fled to so in this case Nepal you know
fled to so in this case Nepal you know
fled to so in this case Nepal you know they speak the language they’re more
they speak the language they’re more
they speak the language they’re more culturally similar but Nepal couldn’t
culturally similar but Nepal couldn’t
culturally similar but Nepal couldn’t observe them either and so they waited
observe them either and so they waited
observe them either and so they waited for 20 years for some international
for 20 years for some international
for 20 years for some international solution finally the United States said
solution finally the United States said
solution finally the United States said ok we’ll take 60,000 Bhutanese refugees
ok we’ll take 60,000 Bhutanese refugees
ok we’ll take 60,000 Bhutanese refugees over a period of you know six or so
over a period of you know six or so
over a period of you know six or so years so they’ve been coming now a
years so they’ve been coming now a
years so they’ve been coming now a little more than that so actually
little more than that so actually
little more than that so actually getting to the end of that pipeline but
getting to the end of that pipeline but
getting to the end of that pipeline but we’re seeing people who are buying
we’re seeing people who are buying
we’re seeing people who are buying houses now in sort of the blacklick area
houses now in sort of the blacklick area
houses now in sort of the blacklick area so it’s been it’s been great to see
so it’s been it’s been great to see
so it’s been it’s been great to see their progress yeah I think I’m one
their progress yeah I think I’m one
their progress yeah I think I’m one question that comes to mind people
question that comes to mind people
question that comes to mind people always wonder how do people from all
always wonder how do people from all
always wonder how do people from all around the world end up in Columbus you
around the world end up in Columbus you
around the world end up in Columbus you know we’re not on either coast we’re
know we’re not on either coast we’re
know we’re not on either coast we’re kind of some center of the country how
kind of some center of the country how
kind of some center of the country how does that work so with the with the
does that work so with the with the
does that work so with the with the boonies for example they started out the
boonies for example they started out the
boonies for example they started out the first group that came they didn’t know
first group that came they didn’t know
first group that came they didn’t know anybody in the US so the way refugee
anybody in the US so the way refugee
anybody in the US so the way refugee resettlement works is then if if
resettlement works is then if if
resettlement works is then if if refugees are referred to a third country
refugees are referred to a third country
refugees are referred to a third country for resettlement like the United States
for resettlement like the United States
for resettlement like the United States which takes less than one percent of the
which takes less than one percent of the
which takes less than one percent of the world’s refugee population for
world’s refugee population for
world’s refugee population for resettlement then the people are
resettlement then the people are
resettlement then the people are allocated based on if they have a family
allocated based on if they have a family
allocated based on if they have a family member already here then they would go
member already here then they would go
member already here then they would go to that location so with the boonies
to that location so with the boonies
to that location so with the boonies example they get allocated amongst the
example they get allocated amongst the
example they get allocated amongst the nine
nine
nine tional resettlement agencies we resettle
tional resettlement agencies we resettle
tional resettlement agencies we resettle for two church world service and
for two church world service and
for two church world service and Episcopal migration ministries and those
Episcopal migration ministries and those
Episcopal migration ministries and those nine take a percentage of whatever the
nine take a percentage of whatever the
nine take a percentage of whatever the annual pool is so was 85,000 last year
annual pool is so was 85,000 last year
annual pool is so was 85,000 last year so they spread that 85,000 out so those
so they spread that 85,000 out so those
so they spread that 85,000 out so those who don’t have family members just get
who don’t have family members just get
who don’t have family members just get put into the pool there are localities
put into the pool there are localities
put into the pool there are localities like ours that say well we have capacity
like ours that say well we have capacity
like ours that say well we have capacity to work with Nepali speakers you know
to work with Nepali speakers you know
to work with Nepali speakers you know somali speakers Arabic speakers and so
somali speakers Arabic speakers and so
somali speakers Arabic speakers and so there’s a grand plan for where people
there’s a grand plan for where people
there’s a grand plan for where people will go but if they have family already
will go but if they have family already
will go but if they have family already here then it gets to be kind of a
here then it gets to be kind of a
here then it gets to be kind of a snowball effect so then they come to
snowball effect so then they come to
snowball effect so then they come to join their family but with the Bhutanese
join their family but with the Bhutanese
join their family but with the Bhutanese which is which was also common for
which is which was also common for
which is which was also common for Somalis I mean Columbus became a you
Somalis I mean Columbus became a you
Somalis I mean Columbus became a you know a hub and a welcoming community and
know a hub and a welcoming community and
know a hub and a welcoming community and people tell their friends and they hear
people tell their friends and they hear
people tell their friends and they hear this is a good place to live and work
this is a good place to live and work
this is a good place to live and work and they can find service sector jobs
and they can find service sector jobs
and they can find service sector jobs and so you know it becomes a magnet so
and so you know it becomes a magnet so
and so you know it becomes a magnet so so that’s why Columbus ISM is a hub for
so that’s why Columbus ISM is a hub for
so that’s why Columbus ISM is a hub for a lot of refugees and so you meant it a
a lot of refugees and so you meant it a
a lot of refugees and so you meant it a little bit the the family connections
little bit the the family connections
little bit the the family connections people trying to come reunite with their
people trying to come reunite with their
people trying to come reunite with their families how long does that process
families how long does that process
families how long does that process usually take so the State Department
usually take so the State Department
usually take so the State Department reopened a process in fall of 2012 this
reopened a process in fall of 2012 this
reopened a process in fall of 2012 this is just we’re just talking about
is just we’re just talking about
is just we’re just talking about refugees there’s a whole other system
refugees there’s a whole other system
refugees there’s a whole other system for filing for immigrant visas so we had
for filing for immigrant visas so we had
for filing for immigrant visas so we had many many people filing in in 2012 and
many many people filing in in 2012 and
many many people filing in in 2012 and then subsequently so a few of those
then subsequently so a few of those
then subsequently so a few of those folks that filed in 2012 have come so
folks that filed in 2012 have come so
folks that filed in 2012 have come so it’s taking three and a half four years
it’s taking three and a half four years
it’s taking three and a half four years plus they go through DNA testing to
plus they go through DNA testing to
plus they go through DNA testing to prove their related to someone here they
prove their related to someone here they
prove their related to someone here they go through a series of many interviews
go through a series of many interviews
go through a series of many interviews they go through what I’ll call extreme
they go through what I’ll call extreme
they go through what I’ll call extreme feting and then they’re able to come
feting and then they’re able to come
feting and then they’re able to come join their family member in the US so I
join their family member in the US so I
join their family member in the US so I guess on extreme betting a little bit
guess on extreme betting a little bit
guess on extreme betting a little bit where do you kind of where do you see
where do you kind of where do you see
where do you kind of where do you see that going so you’ve mentioned you you
that going so you’ve mentioned you you
that going so you’ve mentioned you you kind of consider what the vetting that’s
kind of consider what the vetting that’s
kind of consider what the vetting that’s already taking place extreme betting so
already taking place extreme betting so
already taking place extreme betting so what kind of things do you think they
what kind of things do you think they
what kind of things do you think they could do to make it more extreme it’s
could do to make it more extreme it’s
could do to make it more extreme it’s hard for me to know how they could
hard for me to know how they could
hard for me to know how they could enhance it further and I was talking to
enhance it further and I was talking to
enhance it further and I was talking to caroline on the phone and referencing
caroline on the phone and referencing
caroline on the phone and referencing there was a really well written article
there was a really well written article
there was a really well written article in the
in the
in the Tim post this week written by Homeland
Tim post this week written by Homeland
Tim post this week written by Homeland Security employee who said we already
Security employee who said we already
Security employee who said we already have extreme vetting I know because I
have extreme vetting I know because I
have extreme vetting I know because I did it and it we only have a certain
did it and it we only have a certain
did it and it we only have a certain amount of time to talk about all the
amount of time to talk about all the
amount of time to talk about all the steps but there are many many interviews
steps but there are many many interviews
steps but there are many many interviews with many different with Homeland
with many different with Homeland
with many different with Homeland Security and a State Department
Security and a State Department
Security and a State Department contractor and all kinds of databases
contractor and all kinds of databases
contractor and all kinds of databases and security clearances and the thing to
and security clearances and the thing to
and security clearances and the thing to know is if there is any doubt the person
know is if there is any doubt the person
know is if there is any doubt the person won’t be approved to come and going off
won’t be approved to come and going off
won’t be approved to come and going off of that a little bit so they go through
of that a little bit so they go through
of that a little bit so they go through this process is any of this time
this process is any of this time
this process is any of this time sensitive like what are kind of the
sensitive like what are kind of the
sensitive like what are kind of the implications of the recent executive
implications of the recent executive
implications of the recent executive order on on that whole process so as we
order on on that whole process so as we
order on on that whole process so as we talked about this is changing every five
talked about this is changing every five
talked about this is changing every five minutes and I peeked at my phone and saw
minutes and I peeked at my phone and saw
minutes and I peeked at my phone and saw that so there was the executive order
that so there was the executive order
that so there was the executive order which you know band arrivals then we had
which you know band arrivals then we had
which you know band arrivals then we had a court order that throughout parts of
a court order that throughout parts of
a court order that throughout parts of that band piece of that band that was
that band piece of that band that was
that band piece of that band that was not thrown out was the the piece that
not thrown out was the the piece that
not thrown out was the the piece that cut the refugee arrivals in half that
cut the refugee arrivals in half that
cut the refugee arrivals in half that was that still stands but then 10
was that still stands but then 10
was that still stands but then 10 minutes ago or whenever I saw notice
minutes ago or whenever I saw notice
minutes ago or whenever I saw notice that that the government has filed an
that that the government has filed an
that that the government has filed an appeal so it’s all very much in flux
appeal so it’s all very much in flux
appeal so it’s all very much in flux what’s what’s happening right now what’s
what’s what’s happening right now what’s
what’s what’s happening right now what’s with difficult from my perspective is
with difficult from my perspective is
with difficult from my perspective is that I sit across the desk from those
that I sit across the desk from those
that I sit across the desk from those people who filed applications for years
people who filed applications for years
people who filed applications for years ago and I every day in the parking lot
ago and I every day in the parking lot
ago and I every day in the parking lot and trying to get out of my car without
and trying to get out of my car without
and trying to get out of my car without somebody stopping me before you know to
somebody stopping me before you know to
somebody stopping me before you know to say what’s happening with my case what’s
say what’s happening with my case what’s
say what’s happening with my case what’s happening with my case and I’ll say
happening with my case and I’ll say
happening with my case and I’ll say we’re just we’re just waiting we’re just
we’re just we’re just waiting we’re just
we’re just we’re just waiting we’re just waiting and waiting and so you know we
waiting and waiting and so you know we
waiting and waiting and so you know we put this process out there for families
put this process out there for families
put this process out there for families to be together and the band was in my
to be together and the band was in my
to be together and the band was in my mind not thought through and that it
mind not thought through and that it
mind not thought through and that it affected people who were in flight so
affected people who were in flight so
affected people who were in flight so I’m
I’m
I’m you know seeing I have children and I
you know seeing I have children and I
you know seeing I have children and I have the good fortune of never having
have the good fortune of never having
have the good fortune of never having had to live in another country from them
had to live in another country from them
had to live in another country from them have never had to make the decision to
have never had to make the decision to
have never had to make the decision to take one child and have to leave the
take one child and have to leave the
take one child and have to leave the other one with Grandma while I try to
other one with Grandma while I try to
other one with Grandma while I try to make my way and see if i can find safety
make my way and see if i can find safety
make my way and see if i can find safety with the promise that i can apply for
with the promise that i can apply for
with the promise that i can apply for that child when I you know get to the
that child when I you know get to the
that child when I you know get to the United States I’ve never been in that
United States I’ve never been in that
United States I’ve never been in that position and I’m very thankful for that
position and I’m very thankful for that
position and I’m very thankful for that but I know a lot of people who have been
but I know a lot of people who have been
but I know a lot of people who have been in that position and they followed the
in that position and they followed the
in that position and they followed the rules and I sometimes forget because I’m
rules and I sometimes forget because I’m
rules and I sometimes forget because I’m so immersed in refugee issues that have
so immersed in refugee issues that have
so immersed in refugee issues that have to talk about refugee 101 so what
to talk about refugee 101 so what
to talk about refugee 101 so what happens in the United States is not like
happens in the United States is not like
happens in the United States is not like what’s happening in Europe everybody
what’s happening in Europe everybody
what’s happening in Europe everybody every refugee is approved before they
every refugee is approved before they
every refugee is approved before they come here they go through this extensive
come here they go through this extensive
come here they go through this extensive vetting process that takes at least 18
vetting process that takes at least 18
vetting process that takes at least 18 to 24 months and you may have heard
to 24 months and you may have heard
to 24 months and you may have heard there was there was an issue with two
there was there was an issue with two
there was there was an issue with two Iraqis in Kentucky a few years ago and
Iraqis in Kentucky a few years ago and
Iraqis in Kentucky a few years ago and the process was slow down and the
the process was slow down and the
the process was slow down and the wedding was enhanced and it’s been
wedding was enhanced and it’s been
wedding was enhanced and it’s been enhanced and enhanced and I I just from
enhanced and enhanced and I I just from
enhanced and enhanced and I I just from the way the executive order was
the way the executive order was
the way the executive order was implemented it calls into question how
implemented it calls into question how
implemented it calls into question how much how much information is being
much how much information is being
much how much information is being gathered from all the State Department
gathered from all the State Department
gathered from all the State Department and homeland security people who have
and homeland security people who have
and homeland security people who have been doing this work for so long you
been doing this work for so long you
been doing this work for so long you know that I’m hopeful that there’s that
know that I’m hopeful that there’s that
know that I’m hopeful that there’s that they’re looking at you know how does
they’re looking at you know how does
they’re looking at you know how does this how does this really work and I
this how does this really work and I
this how does this really work and I think they’ll they’ll find more
think they’ll they’ll find more
think they’ll they’ll find more reassurance is once they’ve explored
reassurance is once they’ve explored
reassurance is once they’ve explored that yeah I mean we were we were lucky
that yeah I mean we were we were lucky
that yeah I mean we were we were lucky enough to hear this evening from one of
enough to hear this evening from one of
enough to hear this evening from one of our own faculty members miss guerito she
our own faculty members miss guerito she
our own faculty members miss guerito she told us a bit about her experience and
told us a bit about her experience and
told us a bit about her experience and that she’s sensing in the time that
that she’s sensing in the time that
that she’s sensing in the time that she’s been in the united states that
she’s been in the united states that
she’s been in the united states that attitudes towards immigrants are
attitudes towards immigrants are
attitudes towards immigrants are changing she felt much more welcome when
changing she felt much more welcome when
changing she felt much more welcome when she first moved here the perception was
she first moved here the perception was
she first moved here the perception was that you know immigrants were people
that you know immigrants were people
that you know immigrants were people that were excited to be here and wanted
that were excited to be here and wanted
that were excited to be here and wanted to work make this country better
to work make this country better
to work make this country better contribute and now people are a little
contribute and now people are a little
contribute and now people are a little more uncertain they’re not as welcoming
more uncertain they’re not as welcoming
more uncertain they’re not as welcoming is that something that you feel in the
is that something that you feel in the
is that something that you feel in the columbus community is that reflected
columbus community is that reflected
columbus community is that reflected here
here
here we’ve certainly been extremely fortunate
we’ve certainly been extremely fortunate
we’ve certainly been extremely fortunate with our public officials the mayor and
with our public officials the mayor and
with our public officials the mayor and city council county commissioners have
city council county commissioners have
city council county commissioners have been extremely welcoming and supportive
been extremely welcoming and supportive
been extremely welcoming and supportive for you know many years so we’ve been
for you know many years so we’ve been
for you know many years so we’ve been lucky in Columbus what I will say is
lucky in Columbus what I will say is
lucky in Columbus what I will say is we’ve seen an outpouring of support of
we’ve seen an outpouring of support of
we’ve seen an outpouring of support of people who want to be welcome teams we
people who want to be welcome teams we
people who want to be welcome teams we have many church groups that we work
have many church groups that we work
have many church groups that we work with our families and people that you
with our families and people that you
with our families and people that you know I like to get personal one-on-one
know I like to get personal one-on-one
know I like to get personal one-on-one experiences with families because I
experiences with families because I
experiences with families because I think that’s what changes you know
think that’s what changes you know
think that’s what changes you know changes minds and hearts and once you
changes minds and hearts and once you
changes minds and hearts and once you know someone it’s much harder to to be
know someone it’s much harder to to be
know someone it’s much harder to to be afraid of them and I guess going a
afraid of them and I guess going a
afraid of them and I guess going a little bit more into that can you just
little bit more into that can you just
little bit more into that can you just said shed some light on like who’s
said shed some light on like who’s
said shed some light on like who’s coming to columbus who are the people
coming to columbus who are the people
coming to columbus who are the people that you’ve been interacting with like
that you’ve been interacting with like
that you’ve been interacting with like what is that community look like for you
what is that community look like for you
what is that community look like for you so last of for fiscal year 2016 which
so last of for fiscal year 2016 which
so last of for fiscal year 2016 which for us is you know october starts
for us is you know october starts
for us is you know october starts october one we resettled 833 individuals
october one we resettled 833 individuals
october one we resettled 833 individuals and there are three resettlement
and there are three resettlement
and there are three resettlement agencies in columbus so of our 833 I
agencies in columbus so of our 833 I
agencies in columbus so of our 833 I think thirty eight percent were
think thirty eight percent were
think thirty eight percent were Bhutanese followed next by thirty some
Bhutanese followed next by thirty some
Bhutanese followed next by thirty some percent Somali and then we had iraqis
percent Somali and then we had iraqis
percent Somali and then we had iraqis some Syrians Congolese Ugandan Eritrea
some Syrians Congolese Ugandan Eritrea
some Syrians Congolese Ugandan Eritrea and Ethiopia and Iranian you know a mix
and Ethiopia and Iranian you know a mix
and Ethiopia and Iranian you know a mix of people and you know many of the
of people and you know many of the
of people and you know many of the Iraqis served with the US military
Iraqis served with the US military
Iraqis served with the US military Somalis come and and I I should never
Somalis come and and I I should never
Somalis come and and I I should never read the reader comments that I see on
read the reader comments that I see on
read the reader comments that I see on but there’s a such a misperception I was
but there’s a such a misperception I was
but there’s a such a misperception I was doing a press conference with five of
doing a press conference with five of
doing a press conference with five of these moms this week and the comments
these moms this week and the comments
these moms this week and the comments say you know none of these people work
say you know none of these people work
say you know none of these people work and I’ve actually all five of those
and I’ve actually all five of those
and I’ve actually all five of those women work at least one job and maybe
women work at least one job and maybe
women work at least one job and maybe one or two jobs and they and they you’re
one or two jobs and they and they you’re
one or two jobs and they and they you’re doing jobs that most people don’t want
doing jobs that most people don’t want
doing jobs that most people don’t want to do you know they’re they’re doing
to do you know they’re they’re doing
to do you know they’re they’re doing housekeeping in hotels and they’re doing
housekeeping in hotels and they’re doing
housekeeping in hotels and they’re doing warehouse work you know sometimes we’ll
warehouse work you know sometimes we’ll
warehouse work you know sometimes we’ll have somebody who can jump right into
have somebody who can jump right into
have somebody who can jump right into maybe what their background has been but
maybe what their background has been but
maybe what their background has been but that’s much harder so when they’re first
that’s much harder so when they’re first
that’s much harder so when they’re first hear they got to take any job and get go
hear they got to take any job and get go
hear they got to take any job and get go so so we have yeah I mean we have a real
so so we have yeah I mean we have a real
so so we have yeah I mean we have a real real mix of people it’s tough usually
real mix of people it’s tough usually
real mix of people it’s tough usually when when people first arrived hard to
when when people first arrived hard to
when when people first arrived hard to find housing for folks who don’t have
find housing for folks who don’t have
find housing for folks who don’t have any credit history don’t have a job we
any credit history don’t have a job we
any credit history don’t have a job we give them eleven hundred and twenty-five
give them eleven hundred and twenty-five
give them eleven hundred and twenty-five dollars per person one time that’s a
dollars per person one time that’s a
dollars per person one time that’s a federal pass through so that’s their
federal pass through so that’s their
federal pass through so that’s their startup money so if you’re a family of
startup money so if you’re a family of
startup money so if you’re a family of two that doesn’t go very far by the time
two that doesn’t go very far by the time
two that doesn’t go very far by the time you’ve paid a rent deposit and your
you’ve paid a rent deposit and your
you’ve paid a rent deposit and your first month’s rent and then single
first month’s rent and then single
first month’s rent and then single individuals only get you know limited
individuals only get you know limited
individuals only get you know limited amount of assistance and they’ve got to
amount of assistance and they’ve got to
amount of assistance and they’ve got to really get get to work so we’re
really get get to work so we’re
really get get to work so we’re fortunate right now the economy is good
fortunate right now the economy is good
fortunate right now the economy is good so we’ve been able to find jobs pretty
so we’ve been able to find jobs pretty
so we’ve been able to find jobs pretty easily work with a lot of big employers
easily work with a lot of big employers
easily work with a lot of big employers that I’ve got one sugar creek that
that I’ve got one sugar creek that
that I’ve got one sugar creek that provides a vehicle to pick up pick up
provides a vehicle to pick up pick up
provides a vehicle to pick up pick up refugees in Columbus take them to
refugees in Columbus take them to
refugees in Columbus take them to washington court house and back again
washington court house and back again
washington court house and back again every day so we yeah yeah so I don’t
every day so we yeah yeah so I don’t
every day so we yeah yeah so I don’t think we have too much time left but I
think we have too much time left but I
think we have too much time left but I think the last thing we wanted to talk
think the last thing we wanted to talk
think the last thing we wanted to talk to you about so the current
to you about so the current
to you about so the current administration and supporters of this
administration and supporters of this
administration and supporters of this travel ban kind of defended saying we’re
travel ban kind of defended saying we’re
travel ban kind of defended saying we’re making America safer mm-hmm how would
making America safer mm-hmm how would
making America safer mm-hmm how would you respond to all of the different
you respond to all of the different
you respond to all of the different defenses of the travel ban first of all
defenses of the travel ban first of all
defenses of the travel ban first of all you have to think about who refugees are
you have to think about who refugees are
you have to think about who refugees are I mean these are people who are running
I mean these are people who are running
I mean these are people who are running from terrorists and terrorism so that’s
from terrorists and terrorism so that’s
from terrorists and terrorism so that’s number one number two we already have
number one number two we already have
number one number two we already have extreme vetting I don’t know how you can
extreme vetting I don’t know how you can
extreme vetting I don’t know how you can do it more thoroughly they I think they
do it more thoroughly they I think they
do it more thoroughly they I think they have the right to take a look at the
have the right to take a look at the
have the right to take a look at the system but calling it a pause is really
system but calling it a pause is really
system but calling it a pause is really misleading because we for example have
misleading because we for example have
misleading because we for example have at least 500 people overseas waiting to
at least 500 people overseas waiting to
at least 500 people overseas waiting to join family members here including very
join family members here including very
join family members here including very young children and elderly people who
young children and elderly people who
young children and elderly people who are not a security threat and the way it
are not a security threat and the way it
are not a security threat and the way it was crafted is you know it’s keeping
was crafted is you know it’s keeping
was crafted is you know it’s keeping these families apart I just it’s not
these families apart I just it’s not
these families apart I just it’s not mutually exclusive that you can have you
mutually exclusive that you can have you
mutually exclusive that you can have you know security and compassion at the same
know security and compassion at the same
know security and compassion at the same time
time
time thank you so much again for being with
thank you so much again for being with
thank you so much again for being with us
us
us [Applause]
”
Be First to Comment