Ned Lamont
GOVERNOR
STATE OF CONNECTICUT

December 11, 2019

The Honorable Michael R. Pompeo
Secretary

U.S. Department of State

2201 Street, NW

Washington, DC 2030

RE: Consent for Refugee Resettlement Pursuant to Executive Order 13888

Dear Secretary Pompeo:

I write to af?rm that the State of Connecticut will participate in the Department of State?s Reception and
Placement Program, and I hereby provide consent to refugee resettlement in Connecticut pursuant to the
terms of Executive Order 13888, signed by President Trump on September 26, 2019.

Furthermore, I encourage every municipality in Connecticut to join me in providing such consent and in
reaf?rming Connecticut?s longstanding commitment to welcoming refugees as valued members of our
democratic society.

It is a bedrock principle of the United States of America that we welcome to our shores those fleeing
tyranny, persecution and violence. As you well know, prior to being admitted to the United States, a
refugee must undergo a rigorous vetting process. And we know from our own experience here in
Connecticut that refugees enrich the communities that offer them shelter socially, culturally, and
economically. In addition, many people are resettled in our country as part of the Special Immigrant Visa
(SIV) program, because they have put their lives and safety, and that of their families, at risk to help
ensure the success and safety of our military service members in Afghanistan and Iraq. Connecticut is
proud to do its part to honor our country?s commitment to them. The policy of the Trump Administration
over several years to cut dramatically the number of refugees allowed to resettle in the United States is
antithetical to our heritage and our values.

As a state, we work closely with our local resettlement agencies and many faith-based organizations to
ensure the safe, smooth and successful integration of each refugee into our communities. We have the

210 CAPITOL AVENUE, HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06106
TEL (860) 566-4840 

Governor. Lamont@ct.gov

 

 

capacity, the will and the desire to continue welcoming those ?eeing persecution and violence to our
state. For these reasons and more, Connecticut will continue to welcome refugees and SW recipients.

Sincerely,

ct Aw hair
Ned Lamont

Governor

Cc: Connecticut Congressional Delegation

The Honorable Carol T. O'Connell, Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Population, Refugees,
and Migration, U.S. Department of State

Jonathan Hayes, Director, Of?ce of Refugee Resettlement, U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services

Of?ce of Community Services, Connecticut Department of Social Services
Catholic Charities Migration, Refugee and Immigration Services, Hartford, CT
Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants, Bridgeport, CT

Integrated Refugee Immigrant Services, New Haven, CT