Burleigh County, which is home to North Dakota’s capital city of Bismark, could vote to ban new refugees from being relocated to the county.
The county, which has a population of nearly 95,000 people, would be the first in the nation to opt into the executive order signed by President Trump, which allowed localities to decide whether they want to take in refugees. The vote has already been delayed after the first hearing on the issue was flooded by constituents who wanted to add their thoughts.
Chairman Brian Bitner said there had been vocal support from the community to implement the ban.
“The overwhelming public opinion is so clear to me, that I think if you vote for it, you’re not going to be reelected if you choose to run again,” Bitner told the Associated Press.
Republican state Rep. Rick Becker announced his support for the county initiative, saying, “This isn’t about skin color. In the past, nobody had any say whatsoever. Now we have something that should have been in place decades ago. Now, if they want to accept them, they can, and if they don’t want to, they shouldn’t.”
Bismarck Mayor Steve Bakken agreed. He explained, “Right now, it’s a blank check, and that equates into a lot of questions. We have burgeoning school enrollment, veterans’ needs, homeless needs, and Native American needs. This isn’t about heartstrings; this is about purse strings.”
Lutheran Social Services, which manages every refugee relocation in the state, noted that the total number of refugees accepted in North Dakota has declined from 400 per year to just 124 in 2019, with 22 being located in Bismark.
“I’m trying to understand the basis for believing how 25 people will dramatically change the fabric of a community. What does it say to the rest of the country when a county where your capital city is located would choose not to participate?” asked Shirley Dykshoorn, a vice president of Lutheran Social Services.
Reuben Panchol, a refugee from Sudan who was relocated to North Dakota, said he’s had a great experience as a refugee in the state.
“Honestly, North Dakotans have been very welcoming to me, and I give North Dakota credit for helping people like me better their lives,” he explained. “It wasn’t my choice to come to North Dakota, but I’m glad I did. Big time.”
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum has already said the state will continue to accept refugees, with several cities, including the largest city of Fargo, agreeing to house any families sent to the state.
Burgum said he hopes the county votes against the ban, saying, “It sends a very negative signal.”
President Trump has worked to scale back the U.S. refugee intake. In September, he placed a cap allowing only 18,000 refugees into the United States, which significantly cut the previous limit of 30,0000.
