Vote is ‘Yes’ On Burleigh Resettlement (Updated)
UPDATED MONDAY: The vote is “Yes” on resettlement.
The Bismarck Tribune reports the Burleigh commission voted 3 – 2 Monday night to continuing allowing resettlement of refugees in the county.
The vote follows a week of intense debate and two public meetings.
(previous story)
The weekend the vote to ban would make Burleigh the first county in the nation to do so since the Trump Administration's executive order making such a measure possible.
As the Bismarck Tribune reports, the president issued the order in September, "allowing state and local governments to decide whether to receive or reject resettled refugees."
Many political figures, as well as resettlement organizations, have condemned the act. Governor Burgum recently sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, to (as quoted in the Tribune) "receive resettlement refugees, in conjunction with the continued assent and cooperation of local jurisdictions in our state."
Still, the governor said he "respects the right of local jurisdictions to exercise local control."
The county commission postponed a vote on the issue when an overflow crowd showed up at last Monday's public meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday night (12/9) at Horizon Middle School.
[Source: Bismarck Tribune}