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Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Council Member Logan Nance revises resolution endorsing resettlement of refugees in Kentucky

Midway City Council Member Logan Nance has revised the resolution he introduced to have the city endorse the resettlement of refugees in Kentucky. The action part of the resolution remains the same, but some of the "whereas" paragraphs giving the reasons for it have changed.

For example, the first paragraph of the original resolution said refugees "are forced to flee their country because they have a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group." The new version simply says they "are individuals forced to flee their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster."

The second paragraph, which refers to children, adds that "some [are] traveling alone, and none . . . can return home due to extreme vulnerability." A later passage that said some refugees are "torture survivors, people with severe medical conditions [and] LGBT individuals" no longer appears. Also deleted was a paragraph about few refugees allowed to come from certain countries, all but one with Muslim majorities.

The new resolution removes other material and adds information about the economic benefit of refugee resettlement and says "Refugees who resettle in Kentucky communities are a reliable, eager, legal labor force for employers and industry" and "offer determination, grit, perseverance, and a strong desire to succeed and build a better life for their families."

It also adds that refugees live in Woodford County, says "churches and community members in Midway have sponsored the resettlement of several refugee families in the area," and calls Midway "a welcoming community that celebrates diversity and inclusivity."

Nance explains his thinking in a piece submitted to the Messenger. The council is scheduled to consider the resolution Monday, May 6.

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