SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — Refugees will still resettle in Sioux Falls after the City Council and Minnehaha County Commission signed off on the program Tuesday night.
Local government needs to approve of the United States’ refugee resettlement program due to a recent executive order from President Trump.
“No refugee wants to be a refugee,” Councilor Rick Kiley said just before the vote. “I can only imagine what it would be like if the shoe were on the other foot. How would I want somebody else to treat me?”
The council unanimously passed a resolution authorizing the program after a lengthy meeting. Numerous members of the public spoke before the council, most of whom urged the resolution’s passage. Many of the speakers were refugees themselves.
Amid a packed house of public comment, the Minnehaha County Commission votes unanimously for continued refugee resettlement in the county.
Most of the public comment is in support of resettlement.
Commissioner Cindy Heiberger says immigration is part of the nation’s history.
“We are a nation of resettling people. We all at one time immigrated to this country
Lutheran Social Services wants to resettle up to 100 refugees this year in the Sioux Falls area.
(Mark Russo and Carter Woodiel contributed to this report.)
