The resolution states that “The student body of the University of Vermont welcomes refugees and declares its support for the resettlement of refugees no matter their religion, race, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity, or country of origin, in Burlington and calls upon other Vermont communities to join them in supporting a stronger national effort to resettle the world’s most vulnerable refugees.”
“We wanted the resolution to show that UVM is upholding the ideals of this community as a welcoming community,” said Hailey Moll, a senior and member of the UVM Amnesty International group.
“Contrary to what President Trump may think about refugees, the students at the University of Vermont have sent a clear message of welcome to people who just want safe places for their families to live,” said Ashley Houghton, tactical campaign manager at Amnesty International USA. “All of us can play a role by letting our elected officials in the city hall, state house and Congress know that we care about helping others. We want our leaders to support laws that help refugee families who have nowhere else to turn by welcoming them as neighbors.”
The U.S. Committee on Refugees and Immigrants/Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program has resettled more than 7000 refugees in Vermont since 1980 from more than 30 countries, including Iraq, Bhutan, South Sudan, Somalia, Vietnam, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Russia.
To see a map of similar resolutions that have been passed across the country, please visit https://www.amnestyusa.org/i-welcome-resolutions-map/