Maryland continues to accept refugees

On Jan. 1, Governor Larry Hogan’s office released a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stating that Maryland will continue to accept refugees in response to a new executive order from President Donald Trump, which imposed the requirement for cities and states to make a decision as to whether or not they would accept the 18,000 refugees the United States will accept for 2020.

The Baltimore Sun reported on Dec. 30 that, under the Hogan Administration, Maryland has accepted approximately 10,000 refugees since 2016. It is not currently clear how many refugees will resettle in Maryland this year.

Hogan has been historically critical of numerous Maryland counties and municipalities’ uncooperative policies preventing federal agencies from enforcing federal immigration laws. However, Hogan’s recent letter of consent will allow refu­gee resettlement agencies to continue their work in the state.

In his letter to the Secretary, Hogan wrote, “We are willing to accept refugees who the federal government has determined are properly and legally seeking refugee status and have been adequately vetted.” His letter also states, “This, as you know, is different from any kind of ‘sanctuary’ status for those in the United States unlawfully… Maryland’s approach is consistent with both our laws and our values,” according to reports from the Washington Post on Jan. 2. 

Hogan is not alone. There has been very little refusal to help absorb the newly limited number of refugee immigrants, with 18,000 annual refugee ceiling being the lowest in U.S. history. On Sept. 26, President Trump also issued an executive order requiring groups that help refugees find places to live to get written consent from local and state jurisdictions before resettling them. Most states have consented.

Texas, however, announced that it would become the first state to reject refugees since Trump issued the executive order allowing States to do so. “Texas has been left by Congress to deal with disproportionate migration issues resulting from a broken federal immigration system,” Gov. Greg Abbott said in a letter released to the press on, Jan. 10. 

On Jan. 15, U.S. District Judge Peter Messitte of Maryland blocked President Trump’s executive order, declaring that the order gives states and local governments “the power to veto where refugees may be resettled—in the face of clear statutory text and structure, purpose Congressional intent, executive practice, judicial holdings and Congressional doctrine to the contrary.” This is only a preliminary injunction that puts enforcement of Trump’s order on hold.  

The White House press office responded with a statement on Jan. 15, referring to the Refugee Act of 1980, giving the President authority over the refugee resettlement process saying, “This is a preposterous ruling, one more example of nationwide district court injunctions run amok, and we are expeditiously reviewing all options to protect our communities…”

In regards to the refugee policy, the MCPS and Montgomery community remains sympathetic and hopeful, while somewhat cautious.

Northwest sophomore Divya Vakkalanka said, “It’s ridiculous. The fact that he is trying to reduce the amount of immigrants coming into this country is insane. Definitely, we are a democratic state, and I think that deciding to accept refugees in Maryland goes with that. It’s important that they have a safe space and resources in Maryland. It is important that state governments have the right to choose because the federal government cannot have too much power over that, but it is still important to accept refugees.”

Richard Montgomery sophomore, Patrick Kim, agreed that restrictions on immigration don’t seem warranted. “I think that Trump’s executive order is unnecessary because there isn’t much that we can lose from bringing in refugees. I don’t think that bringing in refugees will be a big problem. It is good that Maryland choose to accept refugees. It is good that he gave the states a say. I think it instills a balance between federal and state powers. I don’t think it was responsible of him, though, to leave the problem for other people,” he said.

Likewise MCPS parent Kevin Dunn said, “I saw this news, and I do believe that we should be compassionate enough, as Marylanders, to provide safe haven for refugees in need.”

Article by J.P. King of Richard Montgomery High School

Graphic by Nicole Fang of Richard Montgomery High School