Metropolitan regions affirm commitment to welcoming Syrian refugees | King County

Elected leaders in metropolitan regions across the country are signing a declaration written by King County Executive Dow Constantine welcoming refugees fleeing war-torn Syria.

The declaration “encourages federal leaders to act responsibly and consistently with basic American values, and to avoid actions that would betray our nation’s principles and put our country at greater risk.”

Within 48 hours, officials in 10 major urban counties in the Northeast, Midwest, Southwest, and Northwest signed the Executive’s declaration.

“Local elected leaders from across the country are joining me to welcome refugees fleeing war and tyranny,” said Executive Constantine. “We stand united as America’s metropolitan regions to uphold our tradition of compassion and the recognition that we are a proud nation of immigrants.”

The initial metropolitan regions to sign the declaration are:

Bernalillo County (Albuquerque) New Mexico

Franklin County (Columbus) Ohio

Dallas County (Dallas) Texas

Montgomery County (Rockville) Maryland

Cook County (Chicago) Illinois

Ramsey County (Saint Paul) Minnesota

Multnomah County (Portland) Oregon

Salt Lake County (Salt Lake City) Utah

Milwaukee County (Milwaukee) Wisconsin

Union County (Elizabeth) New Jersey

Between 100 and 200 Syrian refugees are expected to arrive next year in Washington state, with about two-thirds likely to live in King County. About 40 percent of newly arrived refugees are younger than 18.

Most of the initial relocation services are provided by federally funded caseworkers. King County provides health screenings and connects them with a doctor so they can be healthy and productive residents. The county also helps newly arrived residents sign up for affordable health care, reduced-fare transit passes and other income-eligible programs that help them succeed.

A declaration upholding American principles

This statement is signed by King County Executive Dow Constantine and other elected officials from across the United States.

Our values only have meaning if they are supported by our actions.

As a nation whose motto is E pluribus unum—”out of many, one”—the Syrian refugee crisis is an occasion for us to match our actions to our words.

At a time when leaders in Congress and in many states are abandoning this fundamental American principle, we as elected leaders of the nation’s metropolitan regions stand ready to welcome men, women and children fleeing war-torn countries.

The recent attacks in Paris raise legitimate concerns about security, concerns we all share as county leaders. The State Department has an effective, rigorous screening process, one that can sometimes take years to complete and is far more thorough than the background checks conducted for visitors. To those not assuaged, the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI play a critical role as well.

If we turn away orphans, widows, and people who have been tortured, we risk providing terrorist organizations the powerful recruitment tool they seek, both here and abroad.

We encourage our federal leaders to act responsibly, and consistently with basic American values, and to avoid actions that would betray our nation’s principles and put our country at greater risk.

This is, above all else, a humanitarian crisis—one to which we as metropolitan regions are willing and able to respond. At a time when fear and anxiety can cause us to make poor decisions that endanger the lives of innocent people, and increase the risk of an attack against our country, we are committed to ensuring that America remains a beacon of hope, opportunity and freedom.

Signatures by elected officials:

– Dow Constantine, King County Executive, Seattle, Washington

– Maggie Hart Stebbins, District 3, Bernalillo County Commission, Chair, Albuquerque, New Mexico

– Marilyn Brown, Franklin County Board of Commissioners, President, Columbus, Ohio

– Judge Clay Jenkins, Dallas County, Dallas, Texas

– Isiah Leggett, Montgomery County Executive, Rockville, Maryland

– George Leventhal, President, Montgomery County Council, Rockville, Maryland

– Loretta Smith, Multnomah County Commissioner, Portland, Oregon

– Toni Preckwinkle, President, Cook County Board, Chicago, Illinois

– Jim McDonough, Board Chair, Ramsey County, Saint Paul, Minnesota

– Deborah Kafoury, Chair, Multnomah County, Portland, Oregon

– Ben McAdams, Mayor, Salt Lake County, Salt Lake City, Utah