Central Wisconsin News

Wisconsin State Representative Tom Tiffany has called for local communities to have a "meaningful say" in the resettlement process of 140 Afghan and Ukrainian refugees planned for Wausau. Tiffany made this statement in a December 12 post on X.

"The Bureau of Refugee Programs for the Evers admin is planning to resettle 140 Afghan and Ukrainian refugees in the Wausau-area before January 20th," said Tiffany. "Local communities deserve a meaningful say in the resettlement process. That's why I am calling for public forums on this."

According to a press release by Tiffany, on December 11, 2024, he sent a letter to Bojana Zoric Martinez, Director of the Bureau of Refugee Programs for the Evers administration. In the letter, Tiffany requested transparency and public input regarding plans to resettle these refugees in Marathon County before January 20th, when President-elect Trump is scheduled to be sworn into office. This action follows concerns raised by constituents about the refugee resettlement efforts.

Rep. Tiffany's postsS | X

"Little if any effort appears to have been made to reach out directly to the public, or to analyze the potential strains it may place on local schools, public health infrastructure, housing availability, or social services," said Tiffany. He further said that this pattern of behavior seems designed to keep residents most likely affected out of the loop and uninformed. "It also runs counter to the intent of federal laws that require coordination on these matters."

Tiffany represents Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District and was elected in May 2020 during a special election. He grew up on a dairy farm near Elmwood, Wisconsin, and holds a degree in agricultural economics from the University of Wisconsin–River Falls. Before serving in Congress, Tiffany was part of the Wisconsin State Assembly and State Senate with a focus on tax reduction, job creation, and protection of Second Amendment rights.