BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Two local members of Congress are asking for federal help to open an office that would settle refugees from Afghanistan and other countries in Whatcom County.
In a joint letter, U.S Representatives Rick Larsen and Suzan DelBene asked Secretary of State Antony Blinken to approve an application for a World Relief office in Bellingham.
Larsen says Whatcom County is a welcoming place and new arrivals would benefit the community.
“Refugees tend to be more motivated, obviously, want to get out of the country they’re leaving,” says Larsen. “Therefore, they’re more motivated to take action to improve their own quality of life while they’re in the United States, when they get to the United States.”
World Relief helps international refugees with housing, employment, and other services needed to settle in the US.
If approved, the Bellingham office would be able to resettle 75-100 refugees each year.
You can listen to the full interview with Rep. Rick Larsen at our podcast page.