by Evan Stambaugh
The state of Minnesota is expected to receive 275 Afghan refugees, according to a new Axios report.
Senior Biden administration officials speaking to Axios said that governors and mayors across the United States have recently been notified on the number of refugees they should be receiving.
According to the report, there are approximately 37,000 Afghans to be dispersed across the country for resettlement. One official called the conversation between the Biden administration and state and local leaders “very warm,” saying no one refused to take in at least some refugees.
These refugees belong to the “first group,” Axios says, implying there are still more to come to the U.S.
While 275 refugees might sound low in light of Minnesota’s historic openness to refugees, Minnesota is only the 22nd most populous U.S. state. Some of the largest and most populous states — like California, Texas, Florida, New York, etc. — are expected to take in over one thousand Afghan refugees, with California and Texas taking in around 10,000 combined.
Only four states — Hawaii, Wyoming, South Dakota, and West Virginia — are not expected to receive any refugees. Ironically, Washington, D.C., will not take in any either.
In mid-August, Alpha News covered the preparations by Minnesota’s non-governmental organizations for an “influx” of refugees. It is estimated that organizations like the Minnesota Council of Churches and Arrive Ministries helped resettle a few dozen Afghan refugees by the end of that month.
Gov. Tim Walz also announced in August his intention to take in as many refugees as needed. He told the Biden administration in a letter that Minnesota has “a strong tradition of welcoming those who seek refuge and supporting them to rebuild their lives and become part of our communities.”
Minnesota welcomes the most refugees per capita out of all 50 states, according to the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota.
– – –
Evan Stambaugh is a freelance writer. He currently writes for Big League Politics and had previously been a sports blogger. He has a bachelor’s degree in theology and is working to obtain his master’s in philosophy. In 2016 he was a volunteer, intern, and field assistant for Donald Trump’s successful presidential campaign.
Photo “Afghan Child with a Sunburn” by ISAF Headquarters Public Affairs Office. CC BY 2.0.
