Who are refugees?  How many will come?  Are refugees vetted? What sort of persecution have refugees fled?  What is the economic impact?

World Relief has answered the most common questions people have about refugee resettlement in the Chippewa Valley in this FAQ page of their website.  

Refugee Resettlement is a Federal Responsibility.

There has been interest and questions about resettlement of refugees in the Eau Claire community.  The process of identifying resettlement locations and providing assistance to refugees is a Federal or U.S. Government function undertaken through approved nonprofit agencies such as World Relief.  There is no local or state government approval required for refugees to locate in a community.  The law of our United States indicates that “it is the intent of Congress that in providing refugee assistance… the Federal agency… shall consult regularly (not less than quarterly) with State and local governments and private nonprofit voluntary agencies concerning the sponsorship process and the intended distribution of refugees among the States and localities before their placement in those States and localities.”  8 U.S.C. § 1522 (a) (2)(A).   The obligation of placement is upon the Federal agency and the requirement is that it “consult” prior to placement, not that it obtain permission.  There is no reference in the United States Code to requiring local approvals, let alone the approval of local elected officials or of the City Council.  

A prior Executive Order related to state and local written consent prior to resettlement was found contrary to the Act of Congress by a U.S. Court of Appeals and later was revoked.  In 2019 Executive Order No. 13888 attempted to add a requirement to 8 U.S.C. § 1522 to require state and local approvals prior to resettlement.  That Order was found illegal as it attempted to change an Act of Congress in that it “effectively overrides, the Act’s directive that the resettlement decisions be made by the Secretary [of State].” HIAS, Inc v. Trump, 985 F.3d 309, 322 (2021).  The Court further stated: “Notably, by imposing only a consultation requirement, Congress chose not to require the approval or consent of the states and locality. Nor did Congress include any other language in the Act suggesting that the opinions of the states and localities should be given dispositive weight in the resettlement decisions.”  Id at 321.  Following this decision, Executive Order No 13888 was revoked by Executive Order No. 14013.  The Refugee Act continues to require the Secretaries of State and Health and Human Services to determine refugee placement locations in regular consultation and coordination with states, localities and service agencies, but without any requirement of local or state approval.  Any change to this law adopted by our United State Congress would be through an act of Congress to amend or repeal this law.  Concerns or political advocacy regarding the Refugee Act is best directed to our U.S. Representatives or U.S. Senators.

The period of local consultation and coordination prior to refugee placement is ongoing.  There have been a number of community meetings in which information has been shared by World Relief, the nonprofit agency assisting the federal departments vested with refugee placement responsibility.  Additional reliable and accurate information on the resettlement process can be found on the U.S. Department of State website, and questions can be directed to World Relief with additional information on their website or through their local office.

 PDF - Response Letter re: Refugee Resettlement

October 30, 2023

Congressman Tom Tiffany (WI-07)

2620 Stewart Avenue, Suite 312

Wausau, WI 54401

Re:        Response to your letter concerning the Chippewa Valley Refugee Resettlement

Dear Congressman Tiffany:

It has long been our Country’s policy to accept and welcome those in need of protection. It has served us well. We are almost all immigrants, most of us now the beneficiaries of fateful decisions made by grandparents or earlier generations to leave a homeland for the promises of the American Dream. For those who now make the decision to immigrate, it is a long and difficult process, one intended to offer people opportunity while protecting and furthering the interests of our current citizens. Eau Claire embraces the chance to welcome new immigrants to our community and looks to the federal government to ensure those new neighbors come here through a process that is safe, supportive, and secure for all.

The Refugee Act states that it is the intent of Congress to provide refugee assistances and places the responsibility for resettlement decisions with federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of State. 8 U.S.C. § 1522(a)(2)(A). As a member of Congress, Congressman Tiffany is expected to know this policy and is uniquely positioned to ensure it is carried out properly and safely for the immigrants and our current residents of the Chippewa Valley. The responsibility to ensure that the laws of the Country protect us and reflect our values rests firmly upon Congressman Tiffany and we look to him to take proper steps to ensure that the law is followed. It is not the responsibility of the City or others. I am heartened that Congressman Derrick Van Orden along with the offices of Senator Ron Johnson and Senator Tammy Baldwin have reached out to me personally to ask questions and listen, rather than make assumptions.

Immigrants are a part of the Eau Claire story, and we have been made better by those willing to make the Chippewa Valley their new home. Immigration has occurred throughout our history. We are on Native lands that were then settled by early German and Norwegian immigrants. Hmong immigrants are a major part of Eau Claire and other Wisconsin communities, as are nationalities, races, and religions from across the Americas and the world. Immigrants are often fleeing areas that are unsafe and seeking refuge in our country and in our communities. Once here and safe, they return so much more than we can give them, and we happily continue to welcome those who find that Eau Claire is a place to bring their talents and raise their families. We all share personal and financial enrichment from their presence.

The process of welcoming new immigrants is ongoing. World Relief has held a number of public meetings. The Refugee Act requires U.S. agencies to consult and coordinate with state and local authorities and to financially support resettlement. This has happened and is ongoing in a transparent manner. Misinformation or misplacing responsibilities hinders this effort and fails the public trust. The City is cooperating properly with federal agencies and World Relief, but it is not a local responsibility. It is the responsibility of the U.S. government to safely and properly locate, integrate, and support immigrants in communities such as Eau Claire. As a member of Congress, Congressman Tiffany is a part of the U.S. government. We expect and rely on him to do that work. Communicating to the public in a way that demonstrates knowledge, embraces one’s own responsibilities, and links those actions to our shared values, furthers trust. We will continue to do that good work of democratic government as leaders here in Eau Claire, and we invite Congressman Tiffany to begin doing so as well with us in partnership.

I encourage Congressman Tiffany and anyone else interested in this process to read the following resources:

City of Eau Claire’s webpage: https://www.eauclairewi.gov/government/our-divisions/city-manager/edi-equity-diversity-inclusion/refugee-resettlement

The U.S. Department of State who administers this program: https://www.state.gov/refugee-admissions/

World Relief FAQ regarding our new neighbors who will be arriving in Eau Claire: https://worldrelief.org/blwi-frequently-asked-questions-about-refugee-resettlement-in-the-chippewa-valley/

Sincerely,

Emily K. Berge

President

Eau Claire City Council

PDF: Letter of Support - Opening of World Relief Office in Eau Claire-051523

5/15/2023

Ms. Holly Herrera
Bureau of Populations, Refugees and Migration
U.S. Department of State

Dear Ms. Herrera:

As Eau Claire’s City Manager, I submit this letter of support for World Relief to open a new affiliate site in Eau Claire.

City staff started collaborating with World Relief of Appleton in March. This collaboration has involved discussions with all stakeholders in the city, including community members, local businesses, the Health Department, the Police Chief, the Department of Human Services, and other government officials. Through these discussions, the benefits of opening a resettlement agency in Eau Claire were highlighted, and all stakeholders announced their support for the initiative. This collaboration represents a significant step forward in creating a more welcoming and inclusive community for all.

Our strategic vision and values emphasize the importance of equity and inclusion, and I believe Eau Claire is well-suited to not only receive refugees, but to help them thrive.

Local employment opportunities play a critical role in enabling refugees to become self-sufficient and integrate into the community. According to the latest available data from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, as of June 2021, the unemployment rate in Eau Claire County was 3.5%, which was slightly lower than the statewide unemployment rate of 3.6%. The largest industry in Eau Claire is healthcare, followed by retail trade and manufacturing. The city also has a significant education sector, with several colleges and universities located in the area. Overall, Eau Claire has a diverse economy with various employment opportunities across different sectors.

Community support is also essential in providing a welcoming environment for refugees and helping them adjust to their new surroundings. State programs, such as language training and job placement services, are instrumental in assisting refugees in finding employment and becoming economically independent. Eau Claire has a long history of welcoming refugees and supporting them as they resettle in the area. The community has several organizations and programs in place to provide support to refugees, including the Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, the Hmong Mutual Association, the Eau Claire Area School District's English Language Learner program, and the Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council. These organizations provide services such as housing assistance, language classes, job training, and cultural orientation to help refugees adapt to their new surroundings and become self-sufficient. Additionally, the local community has shown a strong commitment to supporting refugees, with many individuals and organizations volunteering their time and resources to help newcomers feel welcome. For example, the "Refugee Support Fund" was established by a local resident to help refugees pay for basic necessities such as rent and utilities. Overall, the community support for refugees in Eau Claire is significant, with many organizations and individuals working together to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for newcomers.

Eau Claire believes that welcoming refugees takes a collective effort. We take pride in resettling refugees from diverse ethnic and national backgrounds, and we look for opportunities to build long-term community connection and successful integration for our new neighbors. It is clear from World Relief’s work in other locations that they will be a strong partner with us in these efforts, as they provide high quality services to help refugees achieve economic self-sufficiency and integration in their local communities. For all these reasons, we support their proposal to open a new office in Eau Claire.

Sincerely,
Stephanie Hirsch
City Manager