Ohio Doubles Down as a Home for Refugees

An Executive Order giving state and local governments the authority to block resettlement of immigrants and refugees has been temporarily blocked after a U.S. District Judge Peter Messitte issued a preliminary injunction, arguing the policy is likely against the law.

The injunction came after HIAS, Inc., Church World Service, Inc. and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, Inc. sued President Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar II and Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf. The lawsuit alleges Executive Order 13888 would give individual states and local governments the power to veto, by refusing to consent to, the resettlement of refugees in their respective jurisdictions.

Just days before the injunction, Texas Governor Greg Abbott became the first state to bar refugees. Texas makes up more than half of the border between the United States and Mexico and is the most frequently crossed border in the world. Gov. Abbot’s decision will make it more difficult for immigrants crossing the southern border to find refuge in the United States.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has consented to refugee resettlement in the state. In 2018 Ohio was among the top six states accepting refugee resettlement, along with Texas, Washington, California, New York and Arizona. Ohio joins 42 states in allowing continued resettlement of refugees, and local governments are taking action as well.

In a letter to Mike Pompeo and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration Carol O’Connell, Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan wrote, “The City of Akron is a welcoming city that has a long and rich tradition of embracing immigrants and those seeking refuge in this great nation.”

Horrigan noted the impact immigrant communities have had on growing industry and innovation in Akron, and ended the letter by affirming the city “will continue to take part in the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program,” and consented to, “initial refugee settlement within our city in accordance with the terms of the (Executive Order).”

Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro also consented to resettlement of refugees in accordance with the Executive Order.

Assistant Director of Law for the City of Akron Ellen Lander Nischt said the decision of whether and where to resettle refugees is still within the purview of the federal government, and recent changes in federal policy have led to a decrease in the number of refugees coming to Akron in recent years.

The greater Akron area has become a second home for immigrants and refugees from Southeast Asian countries like Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. Many of these refugees are fleeing an unstable or dangerous situation in their home country. Some lived in camps for years waiting to be resettled in a country willing to grant them asylum.

Overcoming mental health issues was a major hurdle for refugees. When Bhutanese migration began en masse about ten years ago suicide was a major concern, with the rate among Bhutanese refugees higher than other refugees, and nearly double that of the general population.

The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services conducted a study which found almost Nine % of Bhutanese refugees in America suffer from PTSD and roughly 33% had anxiety.

Some organizations are taking steps to fight isolation among refugee communities. ASIA Inc. hosts gatherings aimed at helping these refugees stay in touch both with each other and with their culture. Preserving their traditions and native language for younger generations growing up far from Bhutan.

Since 2006 roughly 85,000 Bhutanese-Nepali refugees have been resettled in the United States.