resettlement Archives - KVRR Local News

Cass County Commissioners Vote Yes to Refugee Resettlement

An executive order by President Trump puts the fate of refugee resettlement into the hands of each state and county

December 2, 2019

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FARGO, N.D. — “I tell them I’m from Fargo, North Dakota, I say it with pride, because here we have compassion. We support each other. We’re different, but we welcome everybody,” said a refugee who spoke on her experiences coming to Fargo. Commissioners vote unanimously to continue a decade’s long program that helps resettle refugees fleeing unsafe countries into Cass…

Catholic Charities To Drop Its Refugee Resettlement Programs

Focus Is Shifting To Homelessness And At-Risk Children

May 3, 2018

TJ Nelson,

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis is dropping its refugee resettlement programs. The move comes as the state sees a significant slowdown in refugees arriving under President Donald Trump’s administration. The influential charity will shift its focus to programs aimed at homelessness and helping at-risk children. Fewer than 950 refugees arrived in Minnesota last year, compared…

North Dakota Lawmakers Studying Refugee Resettlement

It's slated to meet at least five times and present recommendations to the Legislature

August 2, 2017

TJ Nelson,

FARGO, ND — A North Dakota legislative panel has begun its work studying the impacts of refugee resettlement in the state. Fargo Democratic State Rep. Kathy Hogan chairs the 17-member committee and says refugee resettlement is widely misunderstood by many of her fellow lawmakers. The committee began by examining the impact of refugees on such things as the workforce,…

Celebrating Independence Day for the First Time

For some new Americans, this is their first time celebrating their new home

July 4, 2017

Site Staff,

FARGO, ND — For some people in the area, this is their first time celebrating Independence Day. The Fourth of July began with a bite of lunch and some tea. They compared National Anthems and talked fireworks plans. “To celebrate, we go Detroit Lake,” said Halima Iman of Fargo. “Even now, I’m bringing me and my kids and my sisters….

St. Paul Woman Protesting in Washington D.C. on President Trump’s Deportation Policies

YINGYA VANG SAYS HER FAMILY HAS BEEN DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY DEPORTATION AND HOPES HER STORY CAN HELP ANOTHER FAMILY. OUR WASHINGTON D.C. CORRESPONDENT, ALEXIS WAINWRIGHT REPORTS

June 28, 2017

Site Staff,

WASHINGTON D.C. — One St. Paul woman traveled all the way to Washington, D.C. to protest Trump administration policies on deportation. She hopes her story can make a difference. “My dad was actually affected by deportation,” said Yingya Vang, of St. Paul. “In 2012, he was detained.” Vang has seen deportation first hand. “At that time, my brother was five-years-old and…

“You Get Rid of Them All, Where Would Fargo Be?” City Releases Refugee Resettlement Report

The report explores information including local refugee costs, accountability, and economic impact

April 13, 2017

Site Staff,

FARGO, N.D. — The refugee resettlement report Fargo city commissioners requested in October is finally released. The report explores information including local refugee costs, accountability, and economic impact. “I got my citizenship recently,” shared Ayat Hussein, a former refugee. Immigrants and refugees make up a small part of our community. “We’re not talking about roads and bridges here; we’re talking…

ND Secretary of State Approves Recall Petition of Fargo City Commissioner

Recall petitions should begin circulating Monday and just more than thirty-five hundred eligible voters are needed by May 15 to trigger a recall

March 16, 2017

TJ Nelson,

FARGO, N.D. — The North Dakota Secretary of State’s office has approved the language of a petition calling for the recall of Fargo City Commissioner Dave Piepkorn. Recall supporters are upset with Piepkorn’s stance on what they call his anti-refugee message regarding resettlement. Recall petitions should begin circulating Monday and just more than thirty-five hundred eligible voters are needed…

Fargo City Commissioner Accuses Lutheran Social Services of Calling for His Recall

Appearing on KFGO's News & Views, Piepkorn accused Lutheran Social Services of being behind the recall effort

March 14, 2017

TJ Nelson,

FARGO, N.D. — Fargo City Commissioner Dave Piepkorn isn’t bothered by a group calling for his recall over of his stance on refugee resettlement. Appearing on KFGO’s News & Views, Piepkorn accused Lutheran Social Services of being behind the recall effort. A member of the recall sponsoring committee says that is untrue. Piepkorn has complained that the local government…

South Dakota Considers Lawmaker Approval on Refugee Resettlement

States across the country are looking into similar bills after President Trump issued the travel ban earlier this year

February 15, 2017

TJ Nelson,

SOUTH DAKOTA — South Dakota lawmakers are considering taking more control of refugee resettlements in the state. The Senate State Affairs Committee approved amending a bill that would require state lawmakers’ seal of approval on refugee resettlements. The bill would require private refugee resettlement groups to provide certain information about the process, like services provided, demographics and the number…

Former Refugee Speaks Out on Potential North Dakota, National Ban

Kuwar Farok came to Fargo as a refugee more than 20 years ago

February 1, 2017

Site Staff,

North Dakota lawmakers are getting ready to vote on a bill which could potentially close the state’s doors to incoming refugees. In response, hundreds have signed up on a Facebook page to rally at the Civic Center in downtown Fargo on Thursday afternoon. We sat down with a man who came to Fargo as a refugee more than 20 years ago….