King County Executive Constantine leads nationwide drive to welcome Syrian refugees
Published 12:19 pm Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Elected leaders in metropolitan regions across the country are signing a declaration written by King County Executive Dow Constantine welcoming refugees fleeing war-torn Syria.
The declaration “encourages federal leaders to act responsibly and consistently with basic American values, and to avoid actions that would betray our nation’s principles and put our country at greater risk,” according to a county media release.
Within 48 hours, officials in 10 major urban counties in the Northeast, Midwest, Southwest, and Northwest signed the executive’s declaration.
“Local elected leaders from across the country are joining me to welcome refugees fleeing war and tyranny,” Constantine said. “We stand united as America’s metropolitan regions to uphold our tradition of compassion and the recognition that we are a proud nation of immigrants.”
The initial metropolitan regions to sign the declaration are:
Bernalillo County (Albuquerque) New Mexico
Franklin County (Columbus) Ohio
Dallas County (Dallas) Texas
Montgomery County (Rockville) Maryland
Cook County (Chicago) Illinois
Ramsey County (Saint Paul) Minnesota
Multnomah County (Portland) Oregon
Salt Lake County (Salt Lake City) Utah
Milwaukee County (Milwaukee) Wisconsin
Union County (Elizabeth) New Jersey
Between 100 and 200 Syrian refugees are expected to arrive next year in Washington state, with about two-thirds likely to live in King County, according to county officials. About 40 percent of newly arrived refugees are younger than 18.
Most of the initial relocation services are provided by federally funded caseworkers. King County provides health screenings and connects them with a doctor so they can be healthy and productive residents. The county also helps newly arrived residents sign up for affordable health care, reduced-fare transit passes and other income-eligible programs that help them succeed.
The declaration closes with a call to action:
“This is, above all else, a humanitarian crisis—one to which we as metropolitan regions are willing and able to respond.
“At a time when fear and anxiety can cause us to make poor decisions that endanger the lives of innocent people, and increase the risk of an attack against our country, we are committed to ensuring that America remains a beacon of hope, opportunity and freedom.”
