Advocating for Refugees in Arizona

By Christie Black, MWEG Arizona Member and Senior Director of Engagement

November 21, 2019

Many members of the MWEG Arizona chapter are committed mentors of refugee families in cities throughout the state. We have spent countless hours preparing for, resettling, teaching, serving alongside, and loving our new friends who are fleeing violence and persecution in their home countries. We have watched with dismay as the numbers of refugees the U.S. will accept drops each year, and our hearts fill with sadness for those who are left in limbo, waiting for the opportunity to resettle in a new home. October was an abysmal month in particular, as no refugees were admitted for the entire month. Because we know the policy affects people personally, we have chosen to become advocates for all refugee families in our state and beyond.

Yesterday we met with one of Governor Ducey’s staff members to discuss refugee resettlement. In September, President Trump signed an executive order requiring states and cities to submit a request before receiving refugees. Our plan was to petition Governor Ducey to submit a request for Arizona.

We prepared by gathering positive refugee statistics specific to Arizona. We also brought example letters like those from Utah Governor Herbert and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. Danielle Corbett of Tucson also communicated ahead of time with Tucson’s mayor and a city council member, receiving support for refugee resettlement via email. She printed copies, with permission, to distribute to the Governor’s office. We also each had personal experiences we were prepared to share.

In sharing the Principles of Ethical Government, we indicated that we would be focusing on “responsibility” and how that relates to the importance of receiving refugees. Most of us have spent time one on one in the homes of our refugee brothers and sisters and have felt this sacred responsibility to be a part of helping them build new homes. Advocating for their safety and acceptance on a larger scale is a natural progression of our love and care for our brothers and sisters. 

We hope all members of MWEG will answer this call to action to advocate in this way. For we “have moral responsibilities to provide succor and relief to [our] fellow human beings fleeing war, violence, persecution, and natural disasters, regardless of their race, nationality, or religion.”