Note: This essay appeared as an article in the December 6, 2016, issue of The Charlotte News.
In the aftermath of a contentious
national election that raised strong feelings regarding immigrants,
minorities and religion, there continues to be significant opposition
to the prospect of Rutland becoming a haven for Syrian refugee
families. The images of people desperate to escape from the Syrian
civil war and ISIL persecution landing on the shores of Greece in
fragile boats as well as the reports of the thousands that drown
trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea are part of the contemporary
news cycle. Once they reach asylum in the first country of their
destination, they are relegated to refugee camps where they wait with
hope to be relocated to a more permanent location through the UN High
Commission on Refugees (UNHCR). As aware of this situation we might
be, we may not be familiar with the subsequent process that leads to
resettlement.
A week after the election more than 60
people from Charlotte and surrounding communities gathered at the
Charlotte Senior Center on November 15th to hear a
presentation by the Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program (VRRP) and
the accounts of refugees who are now new Vermonters. The idea behind
the forum organized by Charlotte Representative Mike Yantachka with
the help of VRRP was to increase public knowledge of the refugee
experience: what caused them to become refugees, what process did
they have to go through to enter the U.S., what challenges they face
when they arrive and what their obligations are now that they are
here.
According to the UNHCR there are
currently 65.3 million refugees worldwide. A refugee is someone who
has been forced to flee his or her country because of persecution,
war or violence. Between 2013 and 2015 about 70,000 refugees per year
were admitted to the United States according to the State Department.
President Obama stated that 85,000 would be admitted in 2016 and
another 100,000 in 2017. With the recent election, the latter number
may change.
VRRP representatives Kristen Rengo and
Sophia Kimball introduced the program at the Senior Center with two
videos featuring first person accounts of refugees who resettled in
Vermont from Somalia, Bhutan and Bosnia. Before entering the U.S.
refugees undergo an intensive screening process by multiple agencies
including the FBI, Department of Defense, National Counterterrorism
Center, Homeland Security, and the State Department. According to
VRRP, this vetting process takes 1,000 days on average to complete.
Prior to arrival, they also undergo medical screenings for both
communicable diseases and mental disorders. Once they are accepted,
they are assigned to one of nine resettlement agencies that are
affiliated with 250 offices spread out over 49 states. Vermont was
designated a refugee resettlement center in 1980.
Refugees receive assistance including
housing, mentoring and a stipend for six months after they arrive in
the U.S. The housing is provided at market rates, and it is up to the
refugees to support themselves after six months. This means that to
afford housing in Vermont, it is often necessary for large family
groups to occupy rental housing. VRRP works with landlords to make
these arrangements work and with employers who can provide jobs.
The Senior Center audience also heard
from Yvonne Nigena from Burundi who currently lives in Burlington and
from Puspa Luitel from Bhutan who is a Charlotte resident and serves
on the Town Planning Commission. Yvonne described her family's
flight from the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide and their stay in
Tanzanian refugee camps where she was born before being granted
asylum in the U.S. She attended Burlington High School along with
refugees from many other countries. She said that their
different customs and clothing set them apart, sometimes
uncomfortably, from the other kids. One thing that Yvonne is really
passionate about is dance, and she plays a strong leadership
role in keeping the art of traditional dance alive. She also
announced that her dance group would be performing at the VT
International Festival December 2nd through 4th in Essex Junction.
After graduating from BHS she attended Community College of Vermont
and will start at Castleton University in January.
Puspa Luitel spoke of the expulsion of
ethnic Nepalis from Bhutan in the 1990s, who were stripped of their
citizenship. After fleeing to Nepal, Puspa attended school in the
refugee camp up to 10th grade and went to India for 11th and 12th
grade. In India Puspa completed four years of a five year law
program. Then his family applied for resettlement in the US and came
to Vermont in 2008. He resumed his undergraduate studies at Champlain
College and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree. Since becoming a
U.S. citizen in 2014, he graduated from Vermont Law School and
is very interested in practicing law in Vermont. Through the
affordable housing program he had the opportunity to purchase a home
in Charlotte where he lives with his wife and daughter. He is active
in advocating for the refugee community and received an appreciation
award from the City of Winooski in recognition of his outstanding
service to the community. Puspa serves on the Planning Commission as
a way to give back to his Charlotte community.
More information about the Refugee
Resettlement Program can be found at refugees.org/Vermont and at
www.embracerefugees.org.
 |
| Puspa Luitel speaks to a Senior Center audience on November 15, 2016, about his experiences as a former refugee. – Photo by Janet Yantachka |
