Enhancing State and Local Involvement in Refugee Resettlement
Oct 1, 2019
Signed by: Donald Trump
Signed on: Sep 26, 2019
Published on: Oct 1, 2019
Oct 1, 2019
Signed by: Donald Trump
Signed on: Sep 26, 2019
Published on: Oct 1, 2019
Summary
Requires the federal government to get written permission from states and towns before placing refugees in their communities.
What problem does this solve?
State and local governments felt they did not have enough say in the process of resettling refugees in their areas. This order creates a formal process requiring the federal government to get written consent from both state and local governments before placing refugees.
What does this order do?
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Consent of states and localities to the placement of refugees
Requires state and local consent for refugee placement
Mandates that the federal government must get written consent from both the state and the local government before resettling refugees in that area.
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Section:
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Consent of states and localities to the placement of refugees
Creates a new process for obtaining consent
Directs the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create and put in place a new system for getting this consent.
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Consent of states and localities to the placement of refugees
Allows for an override in special cases
Permits the Secretary of State to place refugees without consent if not doing so would violate other laws, but the President must be notified first.
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Consent of states and localities to the placement of refugees
Exempts family members from consent rule
Specifies that the consent requirement does not apply to a refugee's spouse or child who is coming to join them.
Who does this affect?
- Refugees
- State governments
- Local governments
What is the real world impact?
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Ensures communities are prepared for refugees
Requires local input to make sure that refugees are sent to places that have the resources and desire to help them succeed and become self-sufficient.
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Allows states and towns to block refugees
Creates a way for state or local governments to prevent refugees from being resettled in their areas by simply refusing to give consent, which could lower the total number of refugees accepted into the country.
When does this start?
This order sets a 90-day deadline for key government agencies to create new processes for refugee resettlement.
Reference
Text:
Section:
Header:
Consent of states and localities to the placement of refugees
Deadline for new consent process
Within 90 days of September 26, 2019, the Secretary of State and Secretary of Health and Human Services must create a process to get written consent from states and localities for refugee resettlement.