Reaction from Oklahoma political leaders on Afghanistan refugees' relocation
Eighteen hundred Afghan refugees are expected to arrive in Tulsa and western Oklahoma in the next three to four months, with more possible in the future. The 800 refugees coming to Tulsa make up about 200 families, all of whom have already gone through an initial vetting process.
Gov. Kevin Stitt and some members of Oklahoma’s congressional delegation say they welcome refugees displaced by the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan as the leader of the state's Republican Party has been among the most vocal to express concerns about the relocations.
Read more: 800 Afghan refugees expected in Tulsa in next 3-4 months
Stitt
Gov. Kevin Stitt, pictured in Tulsa on Sept. 11, 2021, was among the first Oklahoma leaders to welcome Afghans fleeing for their lives as the last U.S. troops began withdrawing and the Taliban took over Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. “I welcome Afghans fleeing the terrorist Taliban regime to come to Oklahoma and live in the freedom we hold so dearly,” the Republican governor said in a tweet on Aug. 18. “My office is exploring every possible avenue to help to ensure no American citizen nor any of our allies are left behind.”
Lankford
Republican U.S. Sen James Lankford, pictured in Tulsa on July 23 for a news conference about illegal immigration, said: “I absolutely think that we need to continue to be able to welcome refugees from Afghanistan into Oklahoma and into the United States. When I talk to veterans of the Afghanistan war, they bring two things up to me in the past week. The first thing they'll say is how disappointed they are and how frustrated they are that it's ending this way. The second thing they say is, 'Those people that fought alongside of us, I want them to get out.'"
Cole
U.S. Rep. Tom Cole, R-Moore, said: “I am proud that the United States and our allies are helping those that have helped our service members during our time in Afghanistan escape the evil wrath of the Taliban while also ensuring they are vetted for security and medical risks. I urge all Oklahomans to welcome these refugees from the Taliban to our state and to our communities.”
Dahm
Sen. Nathan Dahm, a Republican from Broken Arrow, said the congressional delegation should propose changes to the federal law on refugee resettlement to give states more input. “Every member of our federal delegation in Congress has the opportunity to work to address this,” Dahm said. “It’s time they put the people of Oklahoma and America first and at very least allow us to have a say on who is relocated into our State.”
Lahmeyer
Lankford’s announced primary opponent, Jackson Lahmeyer of Owasso, has been critical of the relocations. In a tweet, he said: “1,800 Afghans could potentially arrive in Oklahoma. The Biden Administration has NO WAY to fully vet these refugees. Yet James Lankford still wants them to come into our communities.”
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The refugees are leaving a war-torn and poverty-stricken country for the American ideals we introduced to their country, the editorial states.
"We have a lot more questions," Inhofe said during a press conference after the committee's classified briefing with Gen. Austin "Scott" Miller. "I hope they have some answers."
A state-by-state look at where Afghan refugees will resettle in the U.S.
According to a report this week, only California and Texas are set to receive more refugees than Oklahoma. In fact, Tulsa by itself will be taking in more than most states.
According to a report this week, only California and Texas are set to receive more refugees than Oklahoma. In fact, Tulsa by itself will be taking in more than most states.
"Even without those tenets rooted in faith, it is a principled position for humanity; we must help each other. ... We believe Oklahomans will live up to that standard," the editorial states.
"I have never heard anything from Sen. James Lankford, not even a thoughtless form letter. His office never returns letters, calls or emails on any subject I have written," says Prague resident Joe Broz.
In addition to guide books to help combat anti-Muslim rhetoric, CAIR-OK is preparing kits with items that might be useful to the resettled Afghans as they embark upon their lives in a new home.
In addition to guide books to help combat anti-Muslim rhetoric, CAIR-OK is preparing kits with items that might be useful to the resettled Afghans as they embark upon their lives in a new home.
In addition to guide books to help combat anti-Muslim rhetoric, CAIR-OK is preparing kits with items that might be useful to the resettled Afghans as they embark upon their lives in a new home.
He arrived to a small group welcoming him at the airport Friday night.
The Khan Ohana Foundation, one of dozens of local organizations to answer the call for assistance, will provide the first meal and a welcome bag for each of the 800 Afghan refugees coming to Tulsa. From there, the Community Food Bank is teaming with Food on the Move to provide three daily meals while they await permanent housing.
These are people who assisted the United States with things like language interpretation and finding supplies, said retired U.S. Army Col. Mike FitzGerald, who's helping prepare for their arrival in Stillwater.
They married in April, but by the next month, Hans Wright was ordered out of Afghanistan and had to leave his bride behind. A Muslim who had helped Americans, she had to try three times to escape the Taliban.
Eastern Oklahoma is expected to receive 850 refugees, a Catholic Charities official said. Congregation B'nai Emunah in Tulsa also will be serving as a refugee resettlement agency and will be accepting 50 refugees.
Tulsa’s Congregation B’nai Emunah has received federal approval to serve as a refugee resettlement agency and will begin preparing to receive 50 Afghan refugees in the coming weeks, synagogue officials said.
H.T. Than, now a successful attorney in the Washington, D.C., area, is a former refugee whose family relied on the kindness of Tulsans to make the transition to their new home. "I cannot tell you how happy that makes me," he said of Oklahoma's part in helping resettle Afghan refugees.
The council unanimously approved a resolution recognizing and welcoming Afghan refugees as they arrive in Tulsa.
About 170 refugees are now in Tulsa, out of a projected 850 who eventually will be sent here for resettlement in eastern Oklahoma.
Criticism of resettling Afghans in Oklahoma and the vetting process has local Muslim leaders afraid those public comments create a greater need for security for themselves and arriving refugees.
In late August, the couple rushed to the Kabul airport with their 2-year-old daughter to be flown to the United States.
Ascension St. John Medical Center now employs 14 Afghan women in its laundry and housekeeping departments.