On Christmas Day, an executive order issued by President Donald Trump went into effect regarding the resettlement of refugees. Executive Order 13888 states that refugees will not be permitted to resettle into a state or locality unless written consent is provided by both that state’s governor and a local official. Columbus Junction officials said they feel that “failure to provide consent from either the governor or local officials will result in a severe disruption to the lives of refugees and would threaten the long term stability of the refugee resettlement program.”

That initiative, known officially as the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) was established by the Refugee Act of 1980 and is managed by the Department of State/Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) in cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Since its inception, refugees have been able to successfully resettle across the United States with the help of communities, volunteers, local non-profits and faith-based organizations.

Resettlement is used as a tool to help refugees who are not able to return to their home country and can’t build a life in the country to which they first fled. It’s also used to support U.S. allies, stabilize countries seeing a large influx of refugees, applying pressure on governments with poor human rights records, and bolster the U.S. reputation as a champion of freedom and human rights. To be involved in the program, applicants must undergo thorough background checks from Department of State, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, FBI, and National Counter Terrorism Center, prior to their arrival in the states.

In order for municipalities to continue operating as they have, despite this executive order, and serve as locations for resettlement, a local official must give written consent, as must the governor. The City of Columbus Junction has supplied KCII News with copies of their documents addressed to Secretary of State Mike Pomeo that include Mayor Mark Huston’s consent and signature on the matter. The Louisa County Board of Supervisors have also stated their approval and support of the effort. Next for the officials is documentation of consent from Governor Kim Reynolds.