The Bureau of Refugee Programs, under Governor Tony Evers’ administration, plans to resettle 140 Afghan and Ukrainian refugees in Marathon County before January 20, 2025. In response, Congressman Tom Tiffany has called for public forums to ensure transparency and community involvement in the resettlement process.
In a letter, addressed to Bojana Zoric Martinez, Director of the Bureau of Refugee Programs, Tiffany expressed concerns about the lack of public input and transparency regarding the resettlement plans. He emphasized that such decisions should not be made without consulting the local communities affected.
Tiffany highlighted potential challenges, including strains on local schools, public health infrastructure, housing availability, and social services. He also questioned the thoroughness of the vetting process for incoming refugees, citing past instances where inadequate screening led to security concerns.
This call for public forums aligns with Tiffany’s previous efforts to involve local communities in refugee resettlement decisions. Earlier in 2024, he introduced the Community Assent for Refugee Entry (CARE) Act, aiming to empower state and local governments to reject federal refugee resettlements if they formally disapprove.
As the January 20 deadline approaches, the call for public forums highlights the importance of community engagement in decisions that affect local populations especially given the fast settlement of migrants unknown to the community. Whether the Bureau of Refugee Programs will respond to Tiffany’s request remains to be seen, but the situation is expected to engage interest among residents in Central Wisconsin.Read the entire letter here:
Tom may have a point, but he didn’t seem at all interested in public input and transparency when he proposed turning the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore into a national park. Such decisions should also involve the local communities affected. He didn’t seem concerned at all with potential strains on public infrastructure, public health, housing availability, or much of anything else. I haven’t seen him at a public forum in this area for years. Telephone forums are a coward’s way out.