Groups ‘flabbergasted’ by support from community

Following the election of Donald Trump, who, during his campaign suggested banning all Muslims from entering the country, organizations that work with refugees say they’ve heard stories of their clients being targeted.

They’ve also been touched by the goodwill shown by the local community.

“We have seen some negativity, but it’s completely overshadowed by offers to volunteer time, donations and money. That makes me hopeful,” said Tarrie Burnett, program director for Lutheran Family Services.

Her organization and Catholic Charities of New Mexico administer the U.S. Department of State’s Refugee Resettlement and Placement program and provide other services to refugees.

Burnett said she’s recently heard about refugees being yelled at while waiting at bus stops, being told to go home.

Catholic Charities Executive Director Jim Gannon has heard reports of shots being fired at refugee youths and a woman who was hospitalized after being beaten.

In late November, employees at the Smith’s supermarket at Coal and Yale SE intervened when a woman yelled insults at a shopper who was wearing a hijab, the head covering worn by some Muslim women.

Burnett said her organization is “watching and waiting” to see what approach the incoming Trump administration will take toward refugees. Meanwhile, Lutheran Family Services has had to secure additional storage space to handle the flood of donations.

Charlene Henderson, a board member for the nonprofit Immigrant and Refugee Resource Village of Albuquerque, which provides English classes, tutoring and other services for refugees, said she’s been “flabbergasted” by the volunteer offers.

“Since the election I’ve been getting more calls and emails asking to volunteer,” Henderson said. “We have to protect these refugees. I think all at once people think this is what we have to do.”