Congresswoman McCollum's Wat Resettlement Working Group Meeting:
Date/Time: April 27, 2004: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location:
Minnesota Department of Health, Snelling Office Park, 1645 Energy Park Drive,
St. Paul, MN.
Agenda
I. Introduction
II. Update
on the Hmong Wat resettlement process (Chao & Ilean)
III. Bill
Adams, Director of USCIS SPM Service Center (invited)
*Issues
related to Hmong name and identity
IV. Dianne
Dombrick, MAC Foundation (invited)
*Airport security issues + welcome volunteer group
V. Reports
from the working groups
· Resources
group
· Public
Health
· Mental
Health Group
· Education
· Public
Safety Group
· Workforce
· MAA’s
VI. Adjourn
Notes from the Meeting
Chao Lee, staff to Congresswoman Betty McCollum, opened the meeting and gave an update on the Hmong Wat resettlement process.
Wat Resettlement Process
Update
• According to the State Department, Bureau of Population, Refugees and
Migration (BPRM), the screening process is moving along. The UNHCR is completing
its verification process with the list of refugees approved by the Thai authorities.
• The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will start adjudication
interviews on May 3, and could get estimated approval rate by mid-May.
• According to prescreening indications, the State Department reports a
high interest among Hmong refugees who want to resettle to the United States,
up to 30% from previous estimate.
• First refugees could arrive in early July, and it is expected to be 1,200
refugee arrivals per month beginning in July.
Update on medical check up:
• Initial medical examinations indicate general population is relatively
healthy. People have low rates of drug use and TB, etc…
• The State Department credits Mayor Kelly’s delegation team for
doing a great job on the health assessment report.
Allegations of Hmong families being left out:
• Some Hmong sponsor families have called Congresswoman McCollum’s
office regarding their relatives in the Wat being left out. Chao inquired with
the BPRM and was assured that every family and individuals who were registered
with the Thai authorities as of August 2003 will be given the opportunity to
apply for resettlement. Most people who are over 15 were issued ID cards. The
State and IOM will match their ID’s and files when processing.
Funding:
• Congresswoman McCollum and Congressman Radonovich (CA) have submitted
an appropriation request for $10 million targeted through ORR to local municipalities
that will be impacted by the influx of Hmong refugee arrivals.
Metropolitan Airport Commission (MAC) Foundation:
• Diane Dombrock from MAC Foundation spoke to the working groups and refugee
resettlement agencies on how to help sponsoring families and organizations make
arrangements to receive families inside the security zone at the airport. MAC
Foundation has about 245 volunteers but with only one Hmong speaking volunteer.
It is possible that MAC will issue one pass per sponsor to meet the family arrivals,
but arrangements need to be made in advance based on needs. If people have questions,
please contact Diane Dombrock (612) 794-4437 or visit www.airportfoundation.org
for more information.
Officer Tou Cha’s report on crime and safety issues (St. Paul Police)
• Officer Tou Cha took part in the Mayor’s delegation to the Wat.
He presented a brief report on crime and safety issues in the Wat, including
the use of opium and methamphetamine. Officer Cha said the use of methamphetamine
has dwindled after the Thai security forces fenced the Wat.
• He said that among the different elder groups, they already made up their
minds as to whether or not they are coming to the United States. He is concerned
about the potential suicides among elders and other individuals as the separation
of families is putting the pressures on them.
• Officer Cha suggested that the local social services organizations need
to be fully prepared to help the youth get into positive role model so that they
don’t get into drug use and other negative behavior once they are in the
United States.
Ilean Her presided over the working groups and asked each group to work on
their areas and submit a report. These are the subgroups identified:
· Quality of life + housing group
· Resources group
· Public Health
· Mental Health Group
· Education
· Public Safety Group
· Workforce
· MAA’s