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 A familar sight on Shelbyville's square lately has been an influx of refugees from the war-torn country of Somalia. (T-G Photo by Brian Mosely) [Click to enlarge] |
For a rural Tennessee town like Shelbyville, the public square typically displays a cross-section of the entire community.
People are on their way to the county courthouse. Perhaps folks are there to shop or to drop by one of the banks to conduct important business.
Lawyers, farmers, business people and just plain folks dot the sidewalks as they go about their daily routine.
Including groups of Somali men and women in traditional Muslim dress.
They drive in traffic alongside us, shop at Wal-Mart and other businesses in Shelbyville and work for one of the county's largest employers.
One local official says there may be as many as 1,100 Somalis in Bedford County, although estimates vary.
Depending on who you talk to, these new neighbors are either greeted with indifference, whispers or even fear.
But whatever the reaction, the reality is that these new arrivals are working and living among us. How they will assimilate and become part of the community has yet to be determined.
One question the T-G has frequently heard asked is: How do people from the war-torn African country of Somalia arrive in such numbers in our community?
The answer is through the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services.
According to ORR's web site, their mission is "founded on the belief that newly arriving populations have inherent capabilities when given opportunities, the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) provides people in need with critical resources to assist them in becoming integrated members of American society."
Those granted refugee status overseas by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security are brought to this country for resettlement by the State Department. From there, voluntary agencies (also known as VOLAGs) and ORR help out with their resettlement and integration into American society.
Refugees are also eligible to receive ORR benefits and services from the first day they arrive in this country.
Many refugees move to Nashville, which is one of three locations selected in 2001 to participate in an experiment in public-private partnerships of immigrant and refugee integration, which was primarily funded by ORR.
According to the Carnegie Reporter, Nashville ranked first in the number of new immigrants arriving from 1991 to 1998 relative to the number of foreign-born counted there in 1990. Atlanta placed second and Louisville was third.
While Hispanics make up a large number of immigrants coming to Nashville, other nationalities are settling in Music City as well. The Department of State has been working closely with VOLAGs to relocate refugees to Nashville, including groups from the Middle East, Europe and Africa.
For example, Nashville has one of the nation's largest groups of Kurdish refugees, approximately 7,000, and also housed one of five U.S. polling stations in the country for Iraqi expatriate voters during the January 2005 elections.
Approximately 5,000 Somalis live in the Nashville area, according to published reports.
Refugees make up only 10 percent of immigrants to the U.S., according to a study by the Brookings Institution. Using data from ORR, Brookings learned that more than 2 million refugees have arrived in the United States since the Refugee Act of 1980 was established.
Also, according to the Brookings study, unlike other immigrants, "refugees have access to considerable federal, state, and local support to help them succeed economically and socially."
According to Regina Surber, director of community services in Tennessee for the Department of Human Services (DHS), some of the Somali refugee arrivals to the area are direct resettlement clients while others may be "secondary migrants" who were originally resettled in other states and / or other parts of Tennessee.
"What happens most often in new resettlement communities is that the first to move there are newly arriving refugees, who, after becoming familiar with the area, encourage their relatives and friends to join them," she said.
Surber said that Tennessee had 172 arrivals from Somalia last year and since 1996, they have resettled 1,878 refugees in the state "but many others have moved here from other states over the years."
According to information supplied by DHS, a total of 13 refugees have directly settled in Bedford County from Somalia -- only two in 2005-06 and 11 in 2006-07. However, Surber said these figures do not include secondary migrants, people who have relocated here after first settling somewhere else. DHS does not have a mechanism in place to track such secondary migration.
The refugees are placed by national resettlement agencies, Surber explained, with four such organizations in the Middle Tennessee area -- two of which are Catholic Charities of Tennessee, Inc. and World Relief, Inc., both located in Nashville.
The agencies find local churches and community partners to assist in the resettlement process, financially and with volunteers as well as donated goods and services. The VOLAGs in Tennessee are local affiliates of national organizations, which receive federal funding for the provision of their services, Surber said.
Surber explained that the refugees are provided with employment, language, and case management services as a part of the resettlement process.
According to the State Department, after 12 months of residency, refugees are required to apply for adjustment of their status to that of permanent resident alien. After five years in the United States, refugees may apply for citizenship.
MONDAY: How are Somalis impacting local schools?
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Three cheers for an excellent article on how Refugee Resettlement works. I live near Hagerstown, MD and last spring we had some issues brewing with Refugees and our newspaper, The Herald Mail, wouldn't even go this far and explain to the public how the federal immigration program works. As a result the steam built up and people got very angry. Ultimately the program was closed here.
But, as a result of how hard it was to get basic information about what was happening to our city, I started writing a blog called Refugee Resettlement Watch. So, know that you are not alone in your concern.
Most recently Emporia Kansas citizens have gotten up in arms over a large influx of Somali refugees to that city presumably lured there by a Tyson's food meatpacking plant.
We have a whole category at Refugee Resettlement Watch on the Emporia controversy.
http://refugeeresettlementwatch.wordpres...
"How they will assimilate and become part of the community has yet to be determined."
Don't count on that "assimilate" thingee too much.
These Somali's are primarily muslims, and as such, their religion does not allow them to "assimilate". In fact, their religion, direct from the Koran, instructs them not to befriend "infidels" (non-believers in Islam). If you think that assimilation is automatic you need to check out how will that assimilation thingee is not succeeding in the no-go zones in France (google banilieus) and Malmo Sweeden. Muslims aren't here to assimilate. They are here to dominate.
I do not live anywhere near Shelbyville so these refugees will not impact me. But if I were a concerned Shelbyville resident, I take a look at the Refugee Resettlement Watch website and read the stories of how other towns, big and small, have dealt with the impact of Somali muslim refugees. It's not something to look forward to.
Then again, if you don't mind demands constant accomodations, for footbaths in your libararies, no pork products in your schools, prayer meeting rooms in your high school, and increases in your crime statistics, and living with a group of people who would just as soon o replace the Constitution with the Koran, then you shouldn't have any concerns at all.
I don't have a problem with them coming here unless their religion interferes with my life, just like any other religion other than my own, I don't need their beliefs pushed down my throat.
The biggest problem I have with the male Somalis is they are very rude and have no respect for women of any nationality. The women I have come in contact with seem very nice unless they are around a male Somali, then they tend to be very quite, almost afraid to speak.
And just for the record we have more than just a few here in Shelbyville. Sunday night at Wal-mart must be Somali night.
To all Shelbyville residents, I live in a small town in Kansas and we too are going thru an influx of Somali refugees and none of us here like it and are fighting it with all our hearts.
Just a little info for you of Shelbyville, these people will not assimilate into your city, culture, law, etc., because all are islamic muslims and are taught that the only law they need abide by are only islamic laws. Just wait until one of them breaks one of your city laws and you will see what happens.
In time they will either demand that a muslim mosque be built for their worship and prayers and I'll bet that if they are employed by local business that they already have demanded that they have a special prayer room or space so they can take time out from their jobs to pray at least 5 times a day. Assimilat into American culture, HAW! HAW!
I am sorry, I am usually tolerant of different people and cultures but these people starting moving into the apartment complex I lived in about two years ago and the place deteriorated after that. They had no respect for neighbors and bad odors would come from their apartment into the halls and then into other peoples apartment. They also would hit other people's vehicles and then claim they didn't do it and also would get confrontational with other people and try and start arguments and fights. They would also run in and out all times of the night while yelling in the hallways and outside. My friends got to the point where they were afraid to come over. They totally brought the standard of living down at the apartment complex and it was a nice little place before that. I got tired of it after a while and move into a house. They would be warned of the rules there but would continually break them and they didn't care . . . they thought they were above that and treated the rest of the residents as though they were the outsiders.
I have no respect for them when they have no respect for me and when they have no desire to better themself. Also, don't say I feel that way just because they are from a different culture and belief. I had some neighbors once who were from India and they were the nicest people and even became friends with them but they eventually moved too because they didn't agree with the mess the Somalis were making of the apartments. It was sad that me and other individuals had to move because of their behavior when we lived there first and had no problems.
RE: "Many refugees move to Nashville, which is one of three locations selected in 2001 to participate in an experiment in public-private partnerships of immigrant and refugee integration, which was primarily funded by ORR."
In the language of the refugee industry the "public" (taxpayer) and "private" charities are working together to cover the costs of refugee resettlement.
This is simply not the case. The "charities" involved in refugee resettlement have morphed into money- making government contractors with huge incentives for growth of their programs.
So, the taxpayer pays the 750 million annual bill to resettle the refugees and the taxpayer pays the bill for refugee welfare (food stamps, Medicaid, public housing, SSI, etc) once they are here. This welfare bill dwarfs the 750 million annual cost to run the program.
Meanwhile the "charities" like Catholic Charities actually make money on the program by obtaining government contracts and tapping into dozens of grant programs.
My favorite is the multi-layered fraud known as the Matching Grant program. (Again the implication that the "charity" is contributing and the government is "matching" its efforts.)
When you donate an old couch to Catholic Charities they give it to a refugee family. But then Catholic Charities submits a bill to the U.S. government for the value of that couch. In this program they can make up to $2,200 for each refugee (including children) they carry on their books. Of course they have to show they spend some of the money on the refugees, but, basically, it is a money maker for the contractor.
The winner in all this is the "private" employer who gets an endless stream of cheap labor essentially delivered and supported by the "public" taxpayer.
Somalis are the most moderate muslims, when ever they go abroad they quickly assimilate and integrate them sleves with the society, Somali men are not rude with women, they always respect women no matter whether she is muslim or non-muslim American or non-American, if you think that they are rude go to Europe and see thousands of somali male married to european women,before saying any thing bad about somalis try first to learn more about their behavior, culture and then express your view.
Indeed somalis are the most civilazed African people, they are very tolarant people, they respect other people's faiths and values, so, it is absolutely naive to be so rude and express such a hateful view about somais.
Well, so far we've been attacked for being too negative and for being too positive. For a journalist, criticism from both sides is normally a sign that we're doing the right thing.
I am not that egocentristic . . . I have based my opinions on dealing with the many Somalis who had moved into Davis Estates during the last year and a half that I lived there and it was never a positive experience. They were very rude and hateful and very inconsiderate of all the other neighbors. No telling how many complaints were filed against them during the time I was there and many people moved out because of them.
Maybe if you lived next to them on a daily basis then you would have a different viewpoint too than reading some generalization that Wikipedia or some other website has to say. Its easier to stand far away and believe or write what someone tells you but when you live next to a group of people for a period of time, then you learn their true nature.
Oh well, we all have our own opinions.
jaxspike
You are correct on all aspects of the Somalis. I have to deal with them everyday I try to be nice and considerate to them sometimes that is just not possible. I have had them come into my office and demand things I can not supply and then tell me what I "have" to provide. That is usually when it turns ugly in my office because I have no problem telling them that I don't "Have" to do but 2 things and that is die and pay taxes. And it seems it is always the male Somalis that I have problems with.
Davis Estates use to be one of the nicer complexes here in Shelbyville but it has recently been given a bad name because of the Somalis creating problems.
Don't believe me? just ask any one of the local police officers about all the problems they have out there.
Believe me Dianatn . . I live out at Davis Estates for 4 years and loved it until they started letting the Somalis move in and the place went downhill after that. They were constantly causing fights, hitting peoples cars, trashing the hallways and causing really bad odors to be in the hallways which would come into my apartment. Many people complained about them but nothing happened and then the police started showing up more and I decided that I would move out after my lease was up and I did. It was a very nice place until they ruined it and they had no respect for anything or anyone and they expect you to do everything their way with no compromise . . . I just couldn't believe it. I didn't pay rent to live in third world conditions or to be mistreated by people from another country. Now that I live in a house away from that, I can actually get some sleep now.
I just hate people telling me that I am not being fair or understanding to their situation when I lived next to them over an extended amount of time while journalists are getting an interview and that is the extent of their involvement.
Just make sure your Hepatitis shots are up to date. Oh and I believe it is their left hands they use in the same respect as the aforementioned cup, so don't shake that one. As for the odor and that, maybe that smells good to them. *shrugs shoulders*
I think if they or anyone comes to our country they should adapt to our customs. We use soap and a rag to wash our rears and not a hand and a glass of water. We don't wash our feet in the sink, we wash them in the shower where we wash everything else. BODY DEODORANT does this word mean anything to these people. The waste management plant on jackson smells better than these people. Maybe its just me, but isn't soap and water pretty cheap here in the USA. Do we as citizens have to adapt to there customs...........I say @#$$ no. Go home booobala booobala.
How do they make a living? How do they pay for a place to live, utilities, food, insurances, and do they pay TAXES?
Just remember those involved in the 911 attacks had "assimilated" and "appeared" to be good, decent people - then 911 happened!
Just a word of warning- be careful, be very, very careful!
Be aware that Tyson and the church refugee agencies will try to buy subsidized housing intended for seniors,and make it into subsidized refugee housing like they tried to do just outside Emporia,KS 2 years ago.Luckily that fell through when it became public.They didn't worry about the old folks and disabled living there-They wanted the matching grants,tax credits,and cheap labor of refugees.Here are many of the programs they use to spend your money-
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/data...
Office Of Refugee Resettlement: Data
Just in case Tyson can't find enough illegal or refugee(legal)labor,there's a program to reimburse Tyson 100% for an unemployed refugee's wages and benefits.
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/data...
Employment Subsidy Program
Reading the comments almost brought me to tears. I am a young Somalian woman. It is sad to hear all the awful and depressing views that people have of us it is pitiful. All I can really say to the Shelbyville residents is to be tolerant, but instead their being cruel and insensitive towards these refugees that have come from a place of horror. Imagine coming to a country where you know nothing, it seems like people are not embracing them instead being hateful and an extreme dislike. I would by all means love to teach people of my culture, customs and religion and then maybe perhaps we can learn to embrace each other and learn from one another
Fathiya188@hotmail.com
The "peaceful" religion of Islam…….Honor Killing? Beheadings? Body-bombs? How about female genital mutilation (FGM)?
Brigitte Gabriel, author of "Because They Hate: A Survivor of Islamic Terror Warns America" and founder of the web site ACT For America!, where Ms. Gabriel states, "I founded ACT! for America because Islamic militants have declared war on America....We are in for the fight of our lives...." Become involved in your future and the future of your family. Visit ACT for America's website, chapter info and become involved as a member of an existing chapter or become a chapter leader and start one in your area.
I am absolutely appalled at these comments. America is supposed to be the land of opportunity and I for one do not blame these people for fleeing their nation that is full of malnutrition, rape, murder, and constant violence. Every human is entitled to dignity and I also believe that we as the human race need to protect fellow humans' dignity when it is threatened. I am sorry if that seems too inconvenient for you. And true Islam is a religion that is very peaceful and similar to Christianity.