wfn.org | Disciples experience decline in refugees resettled during 1996

[DISCNEWS.parti@ecunet.org]

Date: February 17, 1997
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Clifford L. Willis
Email: CWillis@oc.disciples.org
on the web: http//www.disciples.org

97b-7

        INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- A substantial decline in the number
of Cuban refugees, along with more stringent immigration restrictions,
caused a 57 percent drop in the number of persons resettled by the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1996. 

        Despite the sharp decline from 2,034 in 1995 to 882 in 1996,
Disciples handled 11.6 percent of the refugee caseload for Church
World Service and Witness. The Indianapolis-based denomination is
one of nine church groups that resettle refugees through CWS.

        Most Cuban refugees in Guantanamo Bay were resettled in
1995, according to the Rev. Jennifer Riggs, a Homeland Ministries
associate for refugee and immigration ministries. In addition, "the U.S.
government cut back the number of refugees it admitted . . . due to the
anti-immigrant backlash in Congress."

        Twenty-six Disciples congregations were sponsors or
cosponsors for arriving families. In all, 43 congregations were directly
involved in relocating immigrant families. Several Disciples
congregations also assisted persons with immigration problems.

        Florida (176), Texas (121), and Oregon (101), received the
most international arrivals in 1996, with the majority coming from
Cuba (243), Bosnia (164) and Vietnam (145). 

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