When the Federal Government is over reaching and their Refugee Volunteer Groups are not following the law we need more tools.
Chippewa and other surrounding counties are taking steps to protect themselves. To the right, you can download and adapt the resolution to your county. Even if you are not having issues with these organizations yet, let get the laws set to protect your county in the future. These resolutions with help Rep. Karen Hurd who is working to help pass laws to help protect counties in the future. There is urgency, the resolution needs to be passed by the end of January 2024 to help push the bill this next legislative cycle. Because this was done in secret, the counties were blindside and our time is short and we must work quickly. Please do all you can to meet this goal.
Note from Rep. Karen Hurd (WI State Assembly):
To prevent future situations of unelected governmental officials inviting refugees/coordinating resettlement of refugees without involving the elected local governmental bodies, I am introducing legislation to require local governmental bodies to:
- designate an elected official to be the point of contact for refugee resettlement;
- require that designee to contact in writing the full governing body within 7 business days with details and any documentation received upon any contact made by the federal government or a private nonprofit voluntary agency for consultation relating to federal refugee resettlement and assistance;
- hold a public hearing where citizens can provide input;
- pass a resolution regarding the governmental body’s position on the proposed refugee resettlement and assistance.
The proposed legislation also provides that a taxpayer may bring an action (a lawsuit) to require compliance with the bulleted requirements noted above.
Note: If this legislation is passed and signed into law, it won’t happen in time to change the trajectory of the current situation regarding the refugees whom the city manager of Eau Claire invited to come via the World Relief organization. These are refugees who can settle in a 100 mile radius of Eau Claire. County boards will have to make known to World Relief that they are or are not prepared to take the refugees until further evaluation is accomplished.
Representative Karen Hurd
Wisconsin Assembly District 68
Office: 608-237-9168