Governor Walz: Minnesota ready to welcome Afghan refugees

(ABC 6 NEWS) – Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan said the state is open to welcoming and assisting Afghan refugees looking to resettle here.

The Governor and Lieutenant Governor wrote to President Joe Biden to emphasize their commitment to working with the federal government to keep Minnesota’s long history of welcoming and assisting refugees with the resettlement of Afghan refugees.

The full letter is below:

President Joseph R. Biden
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear President Biden:

Like people across the globe, Minnesotans have watched the events unfolding in Afghanistan with grief and sadness. Minnesotans believe in treating all people with respect and dignity, and we have a strong tradition of welcoming those who seek refuge and supporting them to rebuild their lives and become part of our communities. Minnesota is eager to uphold that tradition by welcoming families and children and providing the stable foundation they need to rebuild their lives, achieve their highest potential, and contribute to our state.

You may already be aware that in the past Minnesota has stepped forward to help those who are fleeing desperate situations and need a safe place to call home. New Minnesotans strengthen our communities and contribute to the social fabric of our state. They are our neighbors.

We stand ready to work with you and your administration to welcome families as this effort to provide safety and refuge continues.

Sincerely,

Tim Walz
Governor

Peggy Flanagan
Lt. Governor

cc: Anthony Blinken, Secretary, U.S. Department of State
Lawrence Bartlett, Director of Refugee Admissions, Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration, U.S. Department of State