Letter to the editor: Urge York County to pass refugee resolution
At each of the last several York County Council meetings a number of citizens explained why the Council should adopt a resolution exempting our county from placements from the UN Refugee Resettlement Program. Unfortunately, the councilmen/women didn’t listen.
Several councilmen/women failed to research the agenda item or listen to the constituents, and only Councilman Bruce Henderson indicated knowledge of the issue.
Councilwoman Christi Cox responded, “We are a nation of immigrants...,” changing the subject from the problems with the UN Refugee Resettlement Program to a wistful reminiscence of our great-grandparents passing through Ellis Island. Our nation needs capable and industrious people who want to become assimilated Americans, but that is a legal immigration policy issue unrelated to the UN Refugee Resettlement Program.
Another councilman said there is “nothing we can do about this at the county level.” Wrong. South Carolina law specifies that counties can refuse state placement of refugees. Only those who do not oppose participation will receive placements.
Councilman Britt Blackwell ordered staff to “write something up saying we will support whatever the governor wants to do.” But the constituents are asking the Council to do the exact opposite. Deferring the county’s authority to Governor Haley, who has supported the UN Refugee Resettlement program, would indicate that we want to participate – in direct conflict with constituents’ wishes and best interests.
There is NO COST to this resolution. Other counties have passed resolutions, and more are pending. There can be no harm to county residents resulting from it. York County constituents almost unanimously want the council to pass it. The cost and risk of resettling unemployable third-world refugees is more than we can bear. Please urge the County Council to pass a meaningful resolution at the Dec. 21 meeting.
Tom Balek, Lake Wylie
This story was originally published December 14, 2015 at 10:50 AM with the headline "Letter to the editor: Urge York County to pass refugee resolution."