By Guy Page
Gov. Phil Scott has told the U.S. State Department that Vermont would welcome refugees from Afghanistan.
This month the Afghan government and military collapsed quickly – far more quickly than expected by the Biden administration – leaving Americans scrambling to leave the country and American officials trying to provide refugees from pro-American Afghans fleeing the Taliban. The Vermont State Refugee Office has set a goal of receiving 375 refugees from all over the world during 2022.
At Tuesday’s press conference, a reporter asked Gov. Scott: “Back in the spring, you sent a letter to the federal government requesting more refugees. Did you ever receive a response to that letter?”
“We did receive a response, more of a ‘thank you for your letter’ type of response,” Scott said.
Due to recent events in Afghanistan, the Scott administration repeated its offer.
“We did reach out again in the last two or three days, to make sure they knew we are ready, willing and able,” Scott said. “It’s up to the state department. We’re ready, willing and able to help those who are coming from war-torn countries, in Afghanistan.”