New Haven Mayor Toni Harp joined 87 of her colleagues nationwide in urging the Trump administration to rescind a Sept. 26 executive order that changes the country’s system for resettling refugees.
Harp, Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, West Hartford Mayor Sheri Cantor, and Stamford Mayor David Martin signed a letter making that plea to Secretary of State Michael Pompeo. The U.S. Conference of Mayors released the letter Monday afternoon.
“The Executive Order would fundamentally change the structure of the U.S. resettlement program by devolving key decisions primarily to the states and ultimately lead to a patchwork of conflicting policies running contrary to the purpose of a national resettlement program. It will also leave thousands of refugees, former refugees, and U.S. citizens without consistent and routine access to integration services and other supports. This is an unprecedented and harmful procedure, particularly given that resettlement agencies already consult regularly with state and local stakeholders regarding community needs,” the mayors wrote.
Click here to read the full letter and see the list of signatories.