Readers split on relocating refugees here
Top of Mind is a weekly question about an issue affecting New Mexicans.
LAST WEEK’s QUESTION: What are your thoughts on Afghan refugees relocating to New Mexico?
“These words by Emma Lazarus at the Statue of Liberty say it all for me: ‘Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!’ ”
— Charles Goodmacher, Rio Rancho
“Accept translators and others who helped the U.S. during our ‘occupation,’ properly vetted. I fear admitting any of the riff-raff that got on the airplane in Kabul. My fear is an enclave, as the Somali enclaves in Minnesota, that would not assimilate and elect far-left liberals like (Rep. Ilhan) Omar.”
— Joe Stehling, Angel Fire
“As long as all immigration laws, policies are followed and they are thoroughly vetted to prevent Taliban and ISIS spies, sympathizers and fighters from entering, let them come.”
— Mike Hedrington, Albuquerque
“If our bureaucracy can get its paperwork together, having refugees could be a fine opportunity to all those New Mexico employers looking for workers.”
— Spencer Nelson, Albuquerque
“The relocation of Afghan refugees to N.M. is a horrible idea. Aside from the security issues, housing the Afghans will take away economic resources which are sorely needed for New Mexicans and the public school system. Our public schools are in great need of improvement and we need money for good teachers, not refugees.”
— John Stern, Alto
“They’re humans in need, in no small part because of how our country has affected theirs. No doubt there will be adjustments, but I hope we can show them the best of our culture(s) and they can bring with them the best of theirs.”
— Doranna Durgin, Tijeras
“I think this is a BAD idea if they are here permanently. Is the U.S. going to give them citizenship?”
— Olsen Arviso, Fort Wingate
“How could the Biden administration fail so badly? We have unknown and unvetted Afghans in this country when we still have American citizens and vetted and cleared Afghan personnel that have worked for us for years stuck behind Taliban lines. This is a complete failure of the Biden administration.”
— Morris Williams, Grants
“We have the chance to show that we are who we say (we) are. Let us welcome these people with open arms!”
— Bryan Camus, Rio Rancho