Tony Evers

Office of the Governor  State of Wisconsin

December 18, 2019

Secretary Michael R. Pompeo
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington DC, 20520

Dear Secretary Pompeo:
I write today regarding Executive Order 13888, “On Enhancing State and Local Involvement in
Resettlement.” As Governor of Wisconsin, I consent to initial refugee resettlement in Wisconsin as per
the terms of Executive Order 13888.
Our state has a rich history of opening its doors to people of all backgrounds, experiences, and walks of
life. Through the years, while the people seeking resettlement opportunity in Wisconsin have changed,
their circumstances have not: they are people seeking a new life, they embrace American ideals, and
they bring with them valuable skills and experience which benefit all of us.
Following the end of World War II, Wisconsin welcomed its first refugees as defined by the United
Nations 1951 Refugee Convention. Our state has since continued to offer opportunities for safety and a
new life to those from around the world who are granted resettlement. Over the past two decades,
Wisconsin has welcomed more than 16,000 refugees from countries around the world, including Laos,
Vietnam, the former Yugoslavia, Somalia, and Iraq. Most recently, our state has welcomed people from
Burma and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
I am disappointed that the administration has created an overly cumbersome and inappropriate process
for those involved in refugee resettlement. Moreover, I am especially concerned that these actions and
your administration’s general disposition and policies toward refugee and immigrant populations has
already done immeasurable damage to key sectors of Wisconsin’s economy. Refugees and immigrants
are essential to Wisconsin’s economy, from manufacturing to education, and public service to
agriculture and healthcare. At a time when we are seeing labor shortages across our state, it is
irresponsible for the administration to place obstacles in the path of talented and hard-working folks
seeking refuge and a better life.

Office of the Governor  PO Box 7863, Madison, WI 53707
(608) 266–1212  www.evers.wi.gov

 Refugee Settlement
Page 2
More broadly, and perhaps most importantly, our refugees are a critically important part of our
families, our communities, and our culture—they are part of the fabric of our state. Wisconsin’s refugee
population is resilient and determined—they want to help themselves and their family, they want to
continue working toward their dreams of living safely and freely, and they are eager to give back to the
communities who welcome them. These contributions and our diversity and our differences make us
and our state stronger, not weaker.
In Wisconsin, we believe in kindness, respect, empathy, and compassion—those are our Wisconsin
values. Time and time again, I have watched Wisconsinites roll up their sleeves and help each other,
rising to the call of our neighbors in their time of need. As we face that call today, Wisconsin will
continue to proudly welcome refugees into our communities as we have for decades.
Sincerely,

Tony Evers
Governor
cc:

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Carol T. O'Connell, Bureau of Population, Refugees,
and Migration, U.S. Department of State

Office of the Governor  PO Box 7863, Madison, WI 53707
(608) 266–1212  www.evers.wi.gov