Letter: Archbishop Tom Wenski: Don’t follow Texas’ example on refugees

Catholic Charities have a proud history as the longest-serving providers of refugee resettlement services in Florida. We sponsored unaccompanied minors from Cuba through Operation Pedro Pan in the 1960s; resettled refugees from Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia in the 1970s; and continued resettling refugees when the U.S. Refugee Program began in 1980.

A recent Executive Order by the administration requires governors and county executives provide written consent before refugees are resettled in their respective state or county. Forty two governors have gone on record supporting refugee services — 19 are Republican. Only the governor of Texas decided to discontinue resettlement — apparently without much public support.

Refugees are thoroughly vetted by agencies including the National Counterterrorism Center, FBI, and the Departments of Homeland Security, Defense, and State. They must meet established criteria, such as fleeing persecution for political or religious reasons.

Often mentored by church volunteers and given resettlement support, refugees and their family quickly integrate into American society, finding work and making a positive contribution to their adopted country.

Resettlement agencies are preparing to submit proposals to the Office of Refugee Resettlement on Jan. 21 to continue this ministry of “welcoming the stranger.” Catholic Charities look forward to local governments continuing welcoming refugees in those communities where we already serve.

Albert Einstein was a refugee. Former Sen. Mel Martinez was a Pedro Pan unaccompanied minor. Today, Texas wouldn’t allow either one to resettle there. Florida, and refugees, would lose if we were to follow Texas’ example.

Thomas Wenski,

archbishop of Miami