Blumenthal Visits Neighbors Link in Stamford, Calls for Services to Aid Influx of Syrian Refugees, Immigrants

(Hartford, CT) – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and advocates toured Neighbors Link in Stamford and called for expanding immigrant and refugee support services so that more robust assistance can be provided to aid an influx of Syrian and other refugees.

Last week, the Obama Administration announced it would increase the limit of accepted refugees from 70,000 to 100,000 in 2017. Blumenthal has called on the Administration to immediately implement a robust refugee program, both expanding the number of accepted refugees with appropriate screening and the capacity to swiftly process and effectively resettle refugees.

Since the onset of the Syrian refugee crisis, organizations across Connecticut have offered their services to help resettle and support the refugees. Neighbors Link is one such organization that helps to integrate newly arriving immigrants from around the globe, providing English and computer classes, employment assistance, and access to schools, health, legal and law enforcement services. Leaders from the International Institute of Connecticut will also join Monday to discuss the legal, social, linguistic and educational programs they offer to help new immigrants and refugees resettle in Connecticut.

“Since the onset of the refugee crisis in Syria, I have heard from people across Connecticut—churches, mosques, synagogues, non-profits, and individual citizens willing and eager to assist in any way possible. More resources should be provided to existing groups like Neighbors Link and the International Institute who already provide invaluable support to immigrants and refugees, from English classes and housing assistance, to health care access and job training. I urge the United States government and our allies to immediately expand our capacity to swiftly process and effectively settle these refugees. We are a nation of immigrants, with a proud moral tradition of aiding refugees who need our help when their homelands are in turmoil, a tradition and heritage we must continue to maintain and honor today,” Blumenthal said. 

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