WASHINGTON — As controversy surrounds the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the United States, one D.C. area county is preparing to accept some of those looking to escape parts of the war-torn Middle East.
“I think we have a public perception problem when it comes to refugees,” Councilman Craig Rice said during a session of the Montgomery County Health and Human Services Committee.
The panel sought input from organizations on helping refugees resettle and how to reassure residents who may be concerned about taking in individuals from Syria.
Concerns have been raised on a national level about the vetting process and its ability to screen dangerous people.
In response to those concerns, Councilman George Leventhal said there is no reason to believe refugees would become involved in violent or terrorist behavior here in the U.S.
“There is every reason to think that they would not, because in order to get that status, they are so carefully screened,” Leventhal said.
Of the 10,000 refugees the U.S. will take in, Leventhal said roughly 200 are expected to be brought into Maryland. He said where exactly they settle in the state will be up to them.
“Individuals don’t go to bed planning to be refugees the next day,” said Sy Mamadou Sy, Program Director for Refugee and Immigrant Services, Lutheran Social Services.
He said the process of screening refugees and asylees takes time, in some case more than 20 months. During that time, an individual will undergo interviews, background checks and must prove that their fear of persecution is well founded.
Housing can be a tough for refugees to find, said Sarah Zullo, Managing Director with the African Community Center at the Ethiopian Community Development Council.
Zullo said because they don’t have a work history, credit history or a social security card, many are turned down when applying for housing.
Councilman Rice said a key is making sure refugees are tied to jobs quickly when they arrive.
Since 2010, more than 6,500 refugees and people seeking asylum have resettled in Maryland and 34 percent of those now live in Montgomery County.
Rice said the county only expects to see the migrant crisis in the Middle East, raising the yearly total by about 50 to 70 people.
“Something that in the context of 1 million people in Montgomery County really doesn’t make a big tremendous difference when it comes to burden on our community,” Rice said.
Leventhal said the county wants to welcome refugees into the community, and touted the success of Ethiopian refugees who now own and operate many businesses in downtown Silver Spring.
“There is every reason to be optimistic and encouraged by the success of refugees that have been here in the past and those who will come in the future,” Leventhal said.
