TWIN FALLS • Four Magic Valley legislators have sent written opinions to the College of Southern Idaho about its Refugee Center program.
The college didn’t request the opinions, but has received positive feedback, CSI President Jeff Fox said.
Questions have been swirling since late April, though, when the center announced it will likely receive 300 refugees – possibly from Syria — starting in October.
“I think legislators have been getting calls from constituents and doing their due diligence to find out what the facts are,” Fox said.
Some community members are worried about Syrian refugees coming from a war-torn part of the Arab world.
College officials have responded by providing the best information possible, Fox said. “We’ve not ignored this.”
Refugee Center director Zeze Rwasama has also received phone calls and met with people to answer questions.
Rep. Steve Hartgen, R-Twin Falls, has heard concerns from individual community members, at meetings, via comments on news stories and on Facebook.
He asked the Idaho Attorney General’s Office for an opinion about what role Idaho plays in immigration issues, if any. The response stated that role is specifically reserved for the federal government under the U.S. Constitution, Hartgen said.
He passed along information to Fox with a note, saying he thinks the college should be prudent and cautious, take concerns into account, and be transparent in making information available.
The Refugee Center isn’t likely a topic that will come before the Legislature as a whole, Hartgen said.
Three other Magic Valley legislators — Rep. Donna Pence, D-Gooding; Rep. Maxine Bell, R-Jerome; and Rep. Clark Kauffman, R-Filer — told the Times-News they haven’t been contacted directly by community members about the Refugee Center.
Pence sent Fox an email expressing her support for the program. “I’m real positive about it.”
The history of incoming refugees goes back a long way, Bell said. “We should be a haven for people to express their own religion and freedoms.”
As for the response from some community members, “I’m troubled that they would be concerned,” she said.
“I assume it’s part of a concern about the people in the areas where Sharia law is and where things are different,” Bell added. “I hope that CSI is able to put that to rest with people who are really, really concerned.”
Kauffman said he wants to know what’s truly happening beyond the rumors. “I’m trying to be proactive in getting all the information,” he said.
Rwasama’s opinion piece in the Times-News about the Refugee Center “explained it all very well,” he said. “I guess if people choose not to believe certain things, it’s their privilege.”
Six Magic Valley residents expressed concerns at a CSI board meeting May 18 about an expected influx of Syrian refugees.
Rick Martin asked for a future agenda item to consider phasing out the Refugee Center program within six months, saying there’s not enough money to support it.
“This program is giving the college a bad rap,” he said. “Let someone else take it over.”
Hartgen said he knows CSI will handle concerns in a responsible fashion. “Citizens have a right to go to elected officials to raise concerns about a policy. That’s a process of democracy.”
CSI board chairman Karl Kleinkopf thanked speakers May 18 for their input and said the board will respond in writing.
Fox recalls only one other time since 2008 when the Refugee Center came under scrutiny. A speaker expressed concerns during a board meeting two or three years ago, he said.
Rep. Lance Clow, R-Twin Falls, met with Rwasama to get a feel for how the Refugee Center works.
“First of all, I was very impressed with him,” Clow said, adding Rwasama grew up in the Democratic Republic of Congo and was a refugee in Rwanda. “He was able to tell the story of how refugees get here and the process they go through.”
Clow said many of the fears about incoming Syrian refugees are that they’re linked to radical Islamic extremists.
CSI doesn’t know the religious background of refugees coming in. But Clow suspects some will be Christians who were persecuted in Syria.
There’s nothing to hide or fear about Refugee Center operations, Fox said, adding there’s a long and successful track record.
Since 1984, the center has settled almost 5,000 people in the Magic Valley. Most are from Iraq and Iran.
The federal government decides how many refugees will come and from which countries. And extensive background checks are conducted before refugees are resettled, Fox said. “Security processes are multiple and rigorous.”
(44) comments
“Security processes are multiple and rigorous.” ???????????????????????????????????????
My Son and Daughter both graduated from TFHS. During that time we were getting refugee's from CSI and many of them went to TFHS. According to my kids these refugee's would gang up and patrol the halls of TFHS looking for trouble.
One of these male refugee's wanted to take my daughter out and she refused. So he punched my Son in the face, pinning his front tooth flat up against the roof of his mouth.
Oh yeah, TFPD took care of it-quickly. Still to this day my Son has a discolored tooth in front.
I called the FBI and asked them who these people were and they said they had no idea, they came in without their knowledge. CSI was claiming at that time back ground checks had been made and so on and so forth. I found out that to be a completely untrue, strong words but no other way to put it.
CSI is again claiming that everyone has had a background check.
It looks like were getting some new neighbors weather we like it or not. I'll do my part to make them welcome but I don't think this is going to work. I too think the refugee program needs to discontinue. If it only effected CSI that's one thing but all of us that live here are effected. Doesn't seem right that something like this could be forced on us.
I'm very uncomfortable with this.
I hope my concerns turn out to be unfounded.
Still the refugee program needs to stop and many people who live here agree. I'm not alone with my concerns.
But realistically, it doesn't look like we can do a darn thing about it, but thought I would give my opinion. The above letter makes it sounds like everyone is okay with it, they aren't. At least I know I'm not.
Danny Crafton
You don't actually think that this is your country, do you? I will assume that you are, like me, a white man. As far as the federal government is concerned, these people have more right to come into the US than you have to object to their coming - never mind that with you being an actual American this is supposed to be your country. To the federal government you have one and only one role to play: To produce, in your work, wealth for the federal government to tax to fund its vote-buying welfare and entitlement programs, and its "refugee" importation programs. You are simply a cow to be milked by them as they import as many nonwhites as possible to drive you and me into minority status as soon as possible.
The United Nations international law regarding "refugees" says that a "refugee" is supposed to seek safety in the nearest neighboring country. Failing that, the refugee is supposed to seek refuge in the second nearest country; failing that, the third nearest, etc. There are dozens of countries closer to Syria than the US is, yet these Syrians get to make a beeline straight to us. Obviously they are not seeking refuge - they are seeking life in the USA.
There is no end to the world's wars and conflicts and bloodshed. It is outrageous and treasonous that our people are forced to accept our country undergoing a forced racial/cultural transformation every time troubles break out someplace in the external world. And for the federal government to force on us people of an aggressive foreign religion the holy book of which preaches hatred toward all who are not of that religion is absolutely treason - the conduct of an illegitimate government which, to say the least, does not have our best interests at heart.
According to the latest annual federal survey of criminality, published jointly by the FBI and the Justice Department (in other words the Hussein Obama administration), a black in the US is 39 times more likely to commit a violent crime against a white than a white is to commit a violent crime against a black. Also it says that a black is 136 times more likely to rob a white than a white is to rob a black. In violent crimes a black selects a white victim 45% of the time, while whites committing such crimes select black victims 3% of the time. These are wildly-lopsided criminality victimization ratios. How many foreign countries do you see offering white Americans refuge/resettlement to escape this anti-white epidemic of crime being committed by blacks? Zero or zero? How many of them, including your new neighbors-to-be from the Middle East, do you think give a flip about what is done to us? Yet every time they have serious troubles we are supposed to take them in?
You two should meet up, have lunch. There's plenty for you to discuss. Danny's mind is ripe for the pickin'.
It's just the simple truth spork. People are fed up with political correctness and the days when truth is suppressed are over. Get used to it.
You got that right Commentator. I don't believe we have an American government anymore. I think our country was surrendered to the global management system of the United Nations and the European Commission.
We can and we must get our country back from these globalist traitors so that American children have a chance at a future.
I am also concerned about the refugees from worn torn countries coming here. It is one thing to come and be part of the U.S.A. And wrong to bring the bad things from their country that tore their country apart. That these very refugees are escaping from.
Right Idaho,
These people come from a part of the world where they are cutting off peoples heads. Reason for concern, I like my head right where it is.
If I read both of these posts correctly, you're both concerned that these refugees will be cutting off heads. That's some pretty solid thinking there, pals. I know, I know, I'm a fool for not being terrified of these people. The Refugee Center has to LITERALLY take awy the machetes from them so they won't keep cutting heads of US citizens. And the media just covers it up. Even Danny's story below, where the refugee acted just like an Idaho male that didn't get his way, is proof that they're bad bad people.
You, hideous Internet troll that doesn't and hasn't had one single good idea in your life.
I'm far more frightened of gun-wielding, far-too-right-winged yahoos than I am of any war-torn refugees.
The legitimate refugee isn't the problem, (as well explained in tumbleweeds comments) and if it was FOOLISH to be concerned about who enters our country, the twin towers would still stand. I'll thank the gun-wielding military that protects your presence here and your freedom of speech for you--don't 'spect you hang with 'em much.
When, in the last half decade, has the military protected my 1st Amendment rights?
Every d*mn day. The fact that you can troll websites posting nothing but vitriol for anything that doesn't fit the left agenda is proof positive.
Those"gun-wielding, far-too-right-winged yahoos" have stopped or prevented far more crimes than they are responsible for. Compare the number of gun related crimes happening in Idaho to those happening in New York City or Baltimore or Chicago, all Democrat-controlled cities with ridiculously restrictive gun control laws.
Sure you are.
I live close to Microsoft headquarters. They have hired a high number of people from outside our country, so I am in contact with a variety of people who do not think highly of our freedoms. While in a local park, I was pushing an elderly lady in a wheelchair, a muslim man began verbally attacking me because I, a female, was out without a male escort. He also grabbed one side of my neck and shook me a bit. Perhaps because I was wearing a cross around my neck, he was more upset. I also have encountered ladies wearing all black, covering everything, peaking out of slits and if looks could kill, a couple of them would have when they looked at me. (I will not honor their choice of clothing by calling it what they want us to.) Ever since the first instance, I make it a point to wear a cross whenever I go out.
If the people coming to your area are of the persecuted class from Syria, then you are doing a good deed by welcoming them into your community. But, if they are of the class that has been doing the persecuting, you need to start thinking about what you will do if it comes to a confrontation, as it has with me on a small scale.
As I live on the west coast, I was looking at your paper, considering moving out there for some peace. Now, peace seems to be harder to find.
Surveys have been taken of what percentage of Muslims are radical and would prefer sharia law. The numbers are staggering! There is a small minority who might be fine with living alongside their neighbors peacefully but they know that if they speak up, they suffer the same consequences as us "infidels" who just want to practice our own faith.
Thank you, theavgjoecom, for linking the video.
Fear, fear, fear...wow I cannot believe all the F mongoring that goes on with this subject. Danny why don't you get involved with the local refugee program? They're always looking for volunteers and it's very rewarding. It's amazing what a little experience and first hand exposure does for someone's perspective. You would be the perfect role model, retired police and ex-military...what great experiences and mentoring you could show them. You might even learn something your self.
BTW, not all refugees are religious or Muslim
deuce,
I'm a realist:
Weather we like it or not we're going to get it. Might as well get ready to meet some new neighbors. I'll do my part to try and make them feel welcome.
I'm sure we'll survive, our Police Depts are quite diverse here.
CSI is a good School and a blessing to our Valley. This refugee program is the one thing they have going on that I don't like, don't know anyone who does.
I grew up in Buhl. There wasn't such a thing as a "Stranger," everyone knew everyone. I liked it that way. It isn't the refugee's themselves it's the fact we have any strangers here at all.
I have never liked the refugee program and never will. I think CSI should cut it and many people think that.
I suppose it is feeble attempt to secure our History and keep an open window to our way of life. It's been good to me and my family and I'd like to pass it on to future generations, just the way it is.
I am fundamentally against the refugee program, not the refugees.
But these folks from a part of the world on fire, I just don't know. A bit risky I'd say.
I don't like risks.
We'll survive, we always do.
Danny
Oh just stop...you are not a realist. That's what scared-of-their-own-shadow people say when they can't substantiate the value of their fears. "I am fundamentally against the refugee program, not the refugees." Uh huh...and yet demonize the refugees when they act just like your average American male.
Idaho is under that old WILSON~FISH PROGRAM. Wyoming is not. You are stupid if you don't repeal that Wilson~Fish Program for Idaho.
There's massive amounts of Money flowing into the hands of Religious Organizations and Other Organizations that bring in these people via Refugee Resettlement.
Go to REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT WATCH *dot* Org. It's updated almost Daily with pictures and statistics. It will make you sick.
If you have not lived in a heavily populated area with Refugees and Immigrants, both Legal and not, you will find out the hard way.
People say there is a RACE problem. People say this RACE problem will be solved when the third world pours into EVERY and ONLY into White countries.
People say the only solution to the RACE problem is if ALL and ONLY White countries “assimilate,” i.e., intermarry, with all those non-Whites.
But if I tell that obvious truth about the ongoing program of genocide against White people, Anti-Whites agree that I am a naziwhowantstokillsixmillionjews.
Anti-racist is a codeword for anti-White.
You're a kick! Scroll all the way to the bottom of the thread and meet up with Tumbles and the other poster. They need a third to make lunch lively.
CSI is a publically funded college that was intended to serve the young Idahoans in their quest for an education to enable them to get better jobs.
The refugee program uses our precious tax dollars to provide the full boat of welfare for refugees and part of that full boat of welfare benefits is a jobs program. They get preferences for jobs in the community OVER our American young people. Every time I got into the Walmart and there is a foreigner who barely speaks English checking me out, it burns me to the core. Those are good jobs that should be going to Americans.
There are two problems here that need to be addressed. First, we need to stop taxpayer money to CSI because they are not serving the interests of American young people. Second, we need to reverse the privatization of Health & Welfare because in their quest to grow their social services programs (more taxpayer funding), they've expanding into the community destroying programs for non-Americans.
It's time to shut down the whole d*mn mess.
WHEN, exactly, are your eyes wide open? I'm not seeing evidence of it in your li'l screed.
How about addressing the issue spork? What do you think about a campaign to de-fund CSI? If they want to provide education and services to these people... fine with me - but do it in the country where they come from. Don't bring them here.
Spork seldom has much to say about the issue. Just hangs around and gets nasty with people. If you watch you'll see that. I don't think Spork can disagree with out a blog full of acid words.
I would be all for a campaign to stop funding CSI until they drop the refugee program.
Good idea! I'll write a letter to my Congress Person but my Congress Person was one of the ones that praised the program.
I write a letter to Sen. Crapo too and ask him to make sure these people have background checks before they come here.
Novel Idea, Eyes...thanks.
What a poltergeist you are. Nothing to contribute except venom, ever. Like a child of 13, or perhaps 16.
If tumbleweed49 and eyeswideshut are so worried about tax dollars, where is the rage at spending trillions of dollars on wars that help create refugee problems in the first place? I have met many of these refugees and they are kind, honest, scared and grateful people. The only quality that the two of you have in common with the refugees is scared and it is running your lives.
"federal government decides how many refugees will come and from which countries. And extensive background checks are conducted before refugees are resettled, Fox said. “Security processes are multiple and rigorous.”
And how, exactly does the federal government do a background check on a refugee from a country that is in the middle of a civil war? Do we ask Basher Assad for the criminal history of the refugee, or do we ask ISIS? The idea that ANY background check is conducted is ridiculous, unless it is done after the refugee arrives here. And my suspicion is they are not here long before they are sent to "refugee centers" . Almost anyone can claim and obtain at least temporary asylum here simply by claiming to be in danger in their home country (something I admit anyone coming from Syria would qualify for). But not all refugees are people that we want to come to this country or to stay here.
The background checks are to see if they are affiliated with known terror groups. Please read the article.
The people of idaho must stay on top of this as the idaho government will not be
Hopefully with large gun filled protests, burning of things, and many shouts. Yes?
The Boston marathon bombers were refugees who claimed persecution in their home country to come to this country. After emigrating to the U.S., where they went on social welfare programs, they made multiple trips back to their home country where they were supposedly in danger of persecution. We all know how they showed their gratitude to the country that welcomed them with open arms, shelter, money, education, etc. The mother of the recently convicted Boston bomber said that it is Americans who are the real terrorists. The mother has no intention to pay the U.S. taxpayer back the money she was granted. She may still be on the public dole. Importing people who have no love and no loyalty to this country or its Constitution is insanely unwise.
I see where you made your mistake. You assign value to "loyalty to country"...you know, being loyal to a land mass with arbitrarily drawn borders in which you were born by chance. That makes sense. And if you were in France, you'd feel that way about France, same with Germany, Italy, etc. That makes it's value nil. And pathetic. Your country is like Disney. It doesn't give a rip about you, except what it can get out of you.
A country is not a land mass, a country is made up of the people who live there with a common interest in the viability of the country where they make their home and raise their families. The ultimate interest is being able to live in a place where you can raise your family in peace and security, and where you can have the freedom to watch a marathon in a place like Boston without worrying about a terrorist incident.
Our country is made up of immigrants and refugees. One bad example doesn't reflect on an entire group of people. Take your hate somewhere else, preferably out of my immigrant filled country.
Borders are won in battle, not arbitrarily drawn. You weren't born there by chance in the case of this country either; more than likely your parents chose to come here to escape oppression of some kind. You haven't left, so the value of this country must be slightly more than nil. Unlike your personal opinion, which is perhaps of negative value at most.
recently while leaving a store I was hit by a a newcomer pushing a cart. she didn't apologize but just kept pushing as if I wasn't even there. I think we should listen to the people who have had day to day experience with the refugees, the ones in the general public. There are many with opinions from people who know the way it should be. I also think that the refugee center might want to add common courtesy and respect ideas to their orientation programs.
Because one rude lady equals refugees need common courtesy lessons? I want to apologize to any refugees reading this thread, abh2014 doesn't represent our community as a whole. We will try to get abh2014 to take some much needed common courtesy and respect orientation programs.
Idaho,
Keep track of these people, keep track.
Danny, up until now I have given you some credit for having some thought and reason to your comments. This issue certainly throws all that out the window. You are a realist only within the scope that you think the world exists. Stay with the fear mongering group that seems to be where you belong. Quit telling us you are from Buhl, you are giving a lot of good people a bad name.
Aggie,
I see from your history here you rarely have much to say about the subject, you just attack people.
I believe they call that an internet troll.
I still don't know what your beliefs are or where your coming from.
Well, I am from Buhl. 3 generations. I had no say in that. But if the good Lord would have asked me where I wanted to be born, I would have chose Buhl.
It was a little difficult in the Army, none of the kids ever heard of it and believe it or not didn't know where Idaho was.
Same way when I served on Buhl P.D. at seminars and classes no one really knew where Buhl was. That was fine with me, Gods secret place.
My writings and letters are intended to get some good solid background checks on folks coming in under the refugee program. That has been slipping through the cracks and needs attention.
That's intended to keep you safe too and your welcome.
As far essentially shutting up is what you are telling me. As long as we have a 1st Amendment I'll pretty much say what I want.
You'll find the 1st Amendment right there in our Constitution, you might want to read it.
I'll take your personal attack under advisement.
I hope this note explains my intentions and I definitely got your message.
It is probably time for me to quit writing here. But I won't quit writing.
Angels on your pillow,
Danny
Looks like there will be good background checks. That's all I was concerned about. Received this email from Senator Crapo. Thought I would share.
June 4, 2015
Danny L. Crafton
4075 E, 3800 N
Hansen, ID 83334-5019
Dear Danny L.:
Thank you for contacting me concerning asylum seekers from Syria relocating to Twin Falls. I welcome the opportunity to respond.
U.S. law authorizes the entry of limited numbers of individuals facing a demonstrated threat based on persecution for political or religious beliefs. The resettlement programs is intended to be paired with a sound U.S. foreign policy interest or to respond to an urgent international crisis.
I agree with you that the President’s announcement easing some immigration rules is alarming. Although the United States enjoys a historic generosity in welcoming legitimate refugees, this should not be an open-door policy. Recently, the State Department announced that the College of Southern Idaho’s Refugee Center is expecting approximately 300 refugees in October 2015, with the largest groups coming from Syria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The State Department is reviewing over 4,000 applications of Syrians fleeing the four-year-old civil war. It is unclear how those foreigners would be identified amongst the millions of displaced Syrian refugees escaping the ongoing violence.
Congress has held several hearings to conduct oversight on the Administration’s proposal for asylum seekers. Immigration officials should not extend exemptions to foreigners who supported groups recognized by the U.S. as terrorist organizations. Furthermore, any legitimate asylum application should be subject to rigorous criminal and national security background checks to ensure our national security is not compromised. Please rest assured I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to monitor the Administration’s immigration proposals.
Again, thank you for contacting me. Please feel free to contact me in the future on this or other matters of interest to you. For more information about the issues before the U.S. Senate as well as news releases, photos, and other items of interest, please visit my Senate website, http://crapo.senate.gov.
Sincerely,
Mike Crapo
United States Senator
MDC:ch
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