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June 11
N NqN‘
Resettlement Issues
May Be Changing
JENNIFER FINER S AFF WR ER
is
ORCHARD
LIGHTING
CENTER
First In Fashion Lighting
28801 ORCHARD LAKE RD. • FARMINGTON HILLS, MI
(810) 553-8540
DESIGNS IN DECORATOR
LAMINATES, LTD.
IT DOESN'T HAVE TO COST A FORTUNE...ONLY LOOK LIKE IT!
Wall Units
Bedrooms
Dining Rooms
Credenzas
Tables
Offices
SPECIALTIES
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"Refugee
resettlement is
different in different
places."
FEATURING
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ecause of a lack of appro- Jerry Bayer, director of Resettle- working on developing a program
priate medical care in ment Service; and members of to "make a more effective sys-
Russia, immigrants often his staff also attended.
tem," according to Mr. Isaacs.
come to the United States
Participants heard Ms. Limon Several agencies within the Jew-
in need of everything from a talk about who the future emi- ish community provide services
visit to the dentist to major gres may be.
to Russian immigrants.
surgery. And because of welfare
wrhe Chinese and Soviets will
Ms. Limon also discussed the
realities, in many situations it is taper off," she said. 'The issue be- need for Congress to reauthorize
more beneficial for a Russian im- comes more diverse as people will the Refugee Act in order to con-
migrant to remain unemployed come from all different places. tinue funding refugee services.
and continue receiving refugee People on the run will make a Congress must approve this act
medical assistance
every two years.
from the government
"To get money for
than to take a job
next year, funding has
without medical cov-
to be reauthorized,"
erage.
she said. "This year,
Judah Isaacs, se-
the atmosphere is not
nior planning associ-
real favorable (be-
ate with the Jewish
cause of anti-immi-
Federation of Metro-
grant sentiments) so
politan Detroit, wants
we do not want a full-
to know what is being
scale debate in Con-
done in Washington to
gress. There is strong
address this issue.
support in the House
Last week, he posed
and Senate. We are
that question to
planning our strategy
Lavinia Limon, U.S.
how to get it through
director of the Office of
without debate. We're
Refugee Resettlement,
confident it will pass.
and was pleased with
We just want to keep
what he heard.
it out of the fray."
"It is very compli-
Ms. Limon also in-
cated," Mr. Isaacs
formed the resettle-
said. "But, essentially
ment workers of $6
what should happen is
million in grant mon-
they (Russian immi-
ey available to agen-
grants) will be able
cies around the
to be employed with-
country. Grants will
out the fear of not re-
be awarded for com-
ceiving medical
munity and family-
benefits."
strengthening
For an immigrant
activities.
to take a job without Federation settled 470 people in the Detroit area last year.
"Refugees come
medical benefits and
with a strong family
continue receiving refugee med- quick decision to leave. With the system," she said. "We see that
ical assistance, the office of Chinese and Soviets, their ar- system break down and we don't
refugee resettlement must ap- rivals were well planned — we know how to stop it. rm putting
prove this policy.
knew they were coming. Services out money for that type of pro-
Ms. Limon, one of the speak- will have to be adjusted (to meet gramming."
ers at the Michigan Committee the needs) as the new flow comes
Mr. Bayer, who has been the
for Refugee Resettlement in."
Resettlement Service director for
(MCRR) Spring Conference held
about a month, said he was
last week in Detroit, is confident
amazed at the large amount of
the policy will soon become a re-
money available for resettlement
ality.
programs.
"Refugee resettlement is dif-
'There seems to be a lot of gov-
ferent in different places," Ms.
ernment money out there," said
Limon said. "I'm here to let you
Mr. Bayer, who plans on apply-
know what is happening in
ing for some of the available
Washington."
funding.
The purpose of the three-day
The conference also included
— Lavinia Limon
conference was to examine
a national immigration forum
refugee programs and future
that included panel members
changes in immigration.
from agencies and coordinators
In attendance were resettle-
In an era where streamlining from around the country. Other
ment workers from various and consolidating services are speakers included Frank Shar-
groups, like Lutheran Social Ser- buzzwords, there was some dis- ry, the executive director of the
vices and the Archdiocese of De- cussion on the need for such National Immigration Forum,
troit. Jewish Vocational Service restructuring within the reset- and Janet Keith, the deputy dis-
employees, including Shirley tlement agencies. Over the last trict director of the U.S. Immi-
Schlang who is also an MCRR ex- year, the Jewish Federation of gration and Naturalization
ecutive committee member; Metropolitan Detroit has been Service. ❑
Formica
Woods
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851-6989
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