Noem Responds to Presidential Executive Order on Refugee Resettlement
PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Kristi Noem yesterday issued a letter of consent to Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo in response to an executive order issued by President Donald J. Trump on Sept. 26, 2019, concerning enhanced state and local involvement in refugee resettlement.
“Thanks to the leadership of President Trump, the strengthened screening process for refugees entering the United States can give South Dakotans increased confidence that those entering are coming for the right reasons,” said Noem. “For the communities that want to welcome these refugees, I support giving them that opportunity.”
Lutheran Social Services is the South Dakota’s Refugee Resettlement Agency and asked Noem to sign a consent letter so they may continue providing these services.
Along with enhancing state involvement in this program, the Department of State implemented proper controls and a high standard of screening. Adjudicators now have more time to screen applicants, may collect more data on applicants, are allowed more latitude in how they deny applicants, and have access to more national security databases to deepen the vetting process. Additionally, President Trump implemented a change to federal immigration policy by establishing a refugee admissions ceiling of 18,000 into the country.
“These assurances and a responsible screening process ensure that South Dakota’s interests are best protected so we can support continued participation in the program,” continued Noem.
Per the process outlined in Trump’s executive order, the decision to resettle is now in the hands of local authorities.
“Signing this consent letter allows the discussion to continue community by community throughout our great state. I’ve always believed that the best decisions are made at the local level, so I appreciate the administration’s invitation to contribute in this way,” Noem concluded.
South Dakota’s neighboring states have also consented to the executive order including North Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, and Minnesota.
This consent letter will be in effect until December 2020. Download the letter here.
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Cue the Dems: “Racism!” “Xenephobia!” “Haters!”.
I’ve only seen that when repubs are actually angry at Noem for even allowing any….but most of those angry repubs didn’t even read the article in that she is just giving the decision to local govt which is actually what repubs constantly ask for. It’s kind of funny.
Many Americans are rejecting the resettlement…
Citizens of Bismarck “came out in force” to get the county commission to reconsider bringing in more refugees.
According to KX News, several North Dakotas voiced their displeasure with this resettlement policy. “124 people statewide does not have an impact, however, if the 124 do a chain migration that could easily be 1,200. And in a state of 750,000 people, 1,200 is a lot,” said local resident Phillip Cohen, who’s against counties bringing refugees.
“I haven’t seen anything in this package, anywhere, that tells me that we’re consenting to five or 50 or 500 or anything. So, North Dakota is already the highest per capita state for refugee resettlement in terms of number of citizens, so in the absence of any sort of number, there’s no way we could know the cost to the state or the county, and I simply can’t support that,” said Bitner.
Bismarck is allowing refugees after the vote. They expect no more than 24 a year. Oh the horror.
The horror isn’t the 24. The horror is the numbers prior to now and getting a better handle on this situation !