Central Wisconsin News

Congressman Tom Tiffany has addressed a letter to Bojana Zoric Martinez, Director of the Bureau of Refugee Programs under the Evers administration. The letter demands transparency and public involvement in the plans to resettle refugees from Afghanistan and Ukraine in Marathon County. This resettlement is expected to occur before January 20th, when President-elect Trump will assume office.

Tiffany's action follows concerns from his constituents regarding the refugee resettlement initiative. In his communication, he referenced previous issues with a similar plan in Chippewa Valley. "Earlier this year, I wrote to you sharing similar concerns in connection with a planned resettlement in the Chippewa Valley," Tiffany stated. He criticized what he perceives as insufficient public engagement and analysis of potential impacts on local resources such as schools and social services.

"This disturbing pattern of behavior appears designed to deliberately keep the residents most likely to be harmed out of the loop and in the dark," Tiffany wrote. He emphasized that this approach contradicts federal laws mandating coordination on these matters.

Tiffany insisted that local communities should have significant input into the resettlement process, demanding clarity about who is arriving, their origins, and how it might affect various community sectors. "Ms. Martinez, local communities deserve a meaningful say in the resettlement process," he asserted.

He urged Martinez to foster public dialogue on these plans so Wisconsinites can have decisive input on developments within their towns. "I hope you will consider taking steps to expand the public dialogue," Tiffany concluded.

The full text of Congressman Tiffany's letter is available for review.