Local refugee director reacts to Immigration controversy

Zeze Rwasama, the director of the CSI Refugee Center in Twin Falls says there could be some positive things that come from President Trump’s 120 day hold on the immigration program, because the new administration can redesign it to their liking.

“Now, they’re not going to be blaming someone else,” Rwasama said. “It’s their program. They own it. They will design it to succeed.”

Rwasama runs the refugee center in Twin Falls. 300 people come through this center each year as part of the U-N refugee resettlement program. They come from all over the world seeking a better life for their families.

At the center they get help with learning English and finding jobs and a place to live. But President Trump has put a 120 hold on the refugee program to allow time to investigate the safety of the vetting process. Rwasama said some refugees here were expecting family members to join them this month.

“So, it’s sad to see some of the refugees that are very happy waiting for the family members to come and now they have to wait another four months.”

But Rwasama says it’s good for everyone, including the refugees if the four month delay helps everyone feels safer about the process.

“If it takes for him to suspend the program for 120 days, that is fine,” Rwasama said. “After the four months everyone will be satisfied and our refugees will feel welcome even more in our communities again.”

Rwasama said the current vetting program for refugees is very thorough and he doubts the president will find many improvements that need to be made.