KENNEWICK — In the past three decades, more than 3,500 people fleeing persecution and conflict around the world have been welcomed into Benton and Franklin counties.
But a recent change in a long-standing federal program has states, counties and cities deciding whether to keep their doors open to refugees.
President Donald Trump slashed the number of refugees allowed into the U.S. to a historic low of 18,000 in 2020. The reduction goes with the administration’s efforts to cut down on both legal and illegal immigration.
With it came Executive Order 13888, which now gives jurisdictions the right to refuse by requiring letters of consent for refugee resettlement.
It’s the first time that local governments have been able to weigh in on the issue. Previously, consent was not needed for people who are resettled through the federal U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.
The term refugee is a legal status given to people who permanently resettle in the United States as part of a humanitarian program.
They may have been granted asylum or were forced to leave their home country due to a fear of persecution based on their race, religion, ethnicity, membership in a particular group or political opinion.
Gov. Jay Inslee submitted a letter Nov. 5 saying Washington has “a long and proud tradition” of allowing refugees into its communities and “wholeheartedly consents” to continuing.
“As the state that resettled the second highest number of refugees last year, we are honored to remain a place of safety and security for those fleeing persecution and violence,” Inslee wrote.
His letter said nearly 150,000 refugees have settled in the state since 1975.
The state’s Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance has been working over the last couple months to ensure all localities that have previously participated in refugee resettlement avoid a gap in eligibility. The deadline was by the end of the year.
The Pasco City Council appears to have been the first Tri-City municipality to take the lead on the recent discussion.
The seven-member board unanimously approved a resolution Dec. 9, granting permission for refugees to be relocated within the city’s boundaries.
Franklin County commissioners followed suit with a 2-0 vote.
Commissioner Clint Didier abstained from voting Dec. 10. At an earlier meeting, he questioned how incoming refugees would affect local resources even though officials say there is no financial burden.
The Benton County commissioners unanimously agreed to allow refugees with their own letter Dec. 10.
Kennewick officials have been gathering information and plan to bring it before the city council at a workshop in January or early February, said spokeswoman Evelyn Lusignan.
Richland and West Richland city officials could not be reached last week to see if they’ve discussed the issue or signed a letter of consent. Their council agendas in recent months show no scheduled discussions about refugee resettlement.
If a government entity does not give formal consent in writing to the Department of State and the Department of Social and Health Services, then organizations cannot resettle refugees within that city or county’s boundaries.
World Relief Tri-Cities is one of the state agencies that works with newly arrived refugees to find housing and employment and provides local mentors.
Trump says his administration acted to respect communities that believe they do not have enough jobs to support refugees, the Associated Press reported.
