On the heels of increased rhetoric on immigration issues nationwide, Madison officials have reaffirmed their support for Syrian refugees, many of whom will settle in Dane County.
The Common Council approved a resolution, which does not have any legal standing, in its Tuesday meeting.
Early last week, Mayor Paul Soglin met with a group of former refugees and immigrants from around the world to discuss ways to improve the dialogue locally.
"There is a great concern about the dialogue in the presidential campaign, particularly the baiting and antagonism by many of the campaigns," Soglin said after meeting with refugees Nov. 24.
According to Public Health Supervisor Kate Louther, Dane County receives approximately 100 refugees each fiscal year, who typically come from Iraq, Afghanistan and Bhutan.
However, during the 2014-’15 fiscal year, the county had only 47 refugees.
"We are expected to get approximately 100 refugees in 2015-2016 fiscal year and already have received 28 in October and November and anticipating 7-11 this month," Louther wrote.
Lutheran Social Services partners with other area organizations to provide housing and other relocation services.
"LSS is finding fewer places that will rent to refugees who have no credit history," Louther said in an email.
Louther added that the service Public Health assures refugees link up with primary care providers and dental homes, and noted other organizations provide services like teaching English and helping with job hunting.
In the days after the Paris terrorist attacks, Gov. Scott Walker signed a letter to President Barack Obama saying he did not want Syrian refugees coming to Wisconsin.
"We must ensure we are doing all we can to safeguard the security of Americans," Walker said in a statement after the letter's release.
Speaking with reporters Tuesday, Walker acknowledged he cannot legally prevent refugees arriving in Wisconsin.
"Legally, I can't put up a wall at the border," he said, according to The Cap Times.
