In the area of immigration, the importance of June has increased. We have World Refugee Day celebrated internationally on June 20 to recognize the tremendous sacrifice of many refugees must decide to flee their countries and start their lives anew in a new place. We also have the relatively new ones Immigrant Heritage Month which was first celebrated in 2014 and aims to recognize and honor immigrants in the United States. June is a special time when we can remember parts of our heritage and admire the achievements of simply being able to survive in an unfamiliar place.
The United States long time a destination for those fleeing persecution from their country. The Refugee Act of 1980 increased the eligibility cap and ensured a consistent process for obtaining status. Since then, our caps have fluctuated depending on the current President. During the Trump administration, the cap was set at an all-time low of 18,000 for fiscal year 2020, in which only 11,800 refugees could be resettled in the United States. For the 2022 financial year, the upper limit had increased to 125,000; however, only refugees could reach the United States. This was largely thanks to the Trump administration degradation of the funding infrastructure that resettlement agencies depend on, keep their doors open
Georgia has resettled refugees for over forty years and is one of the top ten countries resettling refugees nationally. Over the years, Georgia has been home to some 40,000 Refugees. The city of Clarkston is known for being “Ellis Island of the South” and for having the most diverse square mile in the United States. away May 2022, Georgia accepted just over 400 refugees for fiscal year 2022; Ultimately, the 2022 financial year will probably be different Fiscal year 2021if the total number of refugee arrivals.
However, when one thinks of welcome, Georgia isn’t the first state that springs to mind. Though Georgia is open to refugees, it doesn’t do much to ensure their success once they arrive. The state of Georgia currently does not issue government dollars Fund programs to support refugees. Everything that has to do with refugee aid relies primarily on federal funds. The local network of refugee agencies are forced to spend those federal dollars to provide services such as English classes, job placement and resettlement. Georgia is different California, Washington and new Yorkwhere they provide additional government funding for programs that not only guide refugees but also provide resources for resettlement agencies.
in the Aug 2021, Governor Kemp advocated taking in Afghan refugees fleeing Taliban rule. This proclamation was not accompanied by resources, and the ensuing legislature proved that matters affecting the refugee and immigrant community are treated as an afterthought in Georgia.
There is immigrant representation all around us, but we continue to ignore immigrant issues. Immigrants are over-represented in Georgia’s workforce, leading to a balance 14 percent by workers, especially in industries such as agriculture; Forestry; fishing and hunting; mining and construction. A large majority of Georgia immigrants have lived in the United States for more than a decade 72.3 percent arrived before 2010. 58.8 percent of the undocumented population in Georgia have lived in the United States for over ten years. In 2018, immigrants’ contributions to the state added up $3.5 billion in state and local taxes in 2018. That same year, undocumented immigrants and DACA recipients rallied $416.6 million in state and local taxes. Immigrants give so much of themselves to this state, and Georgia continues to give nothing back to immigrants.
During this legislature, Georgia had the opportunity to provide school fees to newly arrived refugees in the state HB932 and language access as well as cultural competence through non-binding regulations HB1013, the Mental Health Parity Act, which aimed to help people with limited access to equitable health care. Both measures, which received tremendous support from advocates and lawmakers, failed. State instruction received only one committee hearing, and language access was largely outside of the final version of HB 1013. The failure of these policy proposals is only a reminder that Georgia is not as welcoming as we claim.
Nationwide we have Title 42 continue to keep people, even asylum seekers, out of the country under the guise of COVID-19 concerns. However, a negative COVID-19 test is no longer needed to enter the United States. Deferred Actions for Childhood Arrival (DACA) just passed its 10th anniversary since its adoption and we are nowhere near able to offer a permanent immigration solution for recipients.
If Georgia really wants to be welcoming, there are simple policy solutions that can be implemented here at home that would bring significant relief to our refugee and immigrant households. First, Georgia can lower barriers to higher education by allowing newly arriving refugees and DACA recipients to qualify for government tuition. Georgia could also pass legislation allowing the undocumented community to gain access to a car so they can drive and not have to worry about deportation. Finally, Georgia could make efforts to provide language access and cultural competence in government services so that all Georgians have equal access to services and programs.
People come to this country for different reasons. Some know exactly where they are going, some are lucky to have family waiting for them, and others are just trying to find a place to survive. Immigration can look different depending on who you are and where you are from. However, it is inspiring to trust a land you have never visited before and make it your home – not just to bet on yourself, but also in the hope that a life can be built there. Thousands of people have chosen to make Georgia their home and yet they are treated like second-class citizens. Georgia can and must do better to ensure all Georgians have the opportunity to thrive.