by Paul Bean
Governor Phil Scott defended Afghanistan refugees in Vermont on Facebook Tuesday in response to the recent high-profile shooting in Washington, D.C., involving an Afghan refugee suspect.
“Many of our Afghan friends and neighbors served side by side with Americans fighting terrorists in their homeland and both they and their families faced extreme danger in doing so. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting with members of the Afghan refugee community and continue to believe we’ve done the right thing and should continue to welcome vetted refugees to Vermont and encourage them to pursue citizenship,” said Governor Scott.
“These individuals have an extraordinary track record of achieving economic independence and making positive contributions in our communities. I’m proud of them and of the Vermonters who have stepped up to help them build stable, independent lives.”
“The shooting in Washington D.C. is a painful reminder that people can become violent for inexplicable reasons, especially those involved in warfare, although there’s no excuse for what happened. It’s also not fair to cast blame on an entire group of people who are doing the best they can to integrate into our communities and follow the American dream.”
“I want to be equally clear that, it’s also reasonable and prudent for the federal government to investigate to be sure there are no additional security concerns or vulnerabilities in our systems. It is important that America have a secure, compassionate, legal immigration system that prioritizes protecting our allies when they need us most.”
In the wake of President Donald Trump’s announcement to review and deport Afghans admitted under the Biden-era Operation Allies Welcome program, Vermont’s Afghan immigrant population is reeling with fear, according to a CNN report that has sparked widespread online discussion.
Vermont, home to the highest per-capita Afghan population in the U.S., faces unique fallout from the policy shift. CNN National Politics Correspondent Eva McKend, reporting live from the network’s New York studio, described the scene as a “worst case scenario” for the community.
McKend, a former WCAX reporter, spoke directly with Molly Gray, executive director of the Vermont Afghan Alliance, who painted a picture of widespread anxiety. “They are frightened; some of them are not leaving their homes out of fear of retribution,” Gray told McKend. Many Afghans have become “deeply integrated into the small towns across the state… and from a real practical perspective the state is reliant on immigrant workforce because of the shrinking workforce and very small tax-base in the state.”