r/wisconsin 25d ago

What are your thoughts on the Afghan refugees being relocated to Fort McCoy?

Not sure if this has happened in my lifetime to have this many refugees settled there and don't really know the playbook. Are they settling in? Being transitioned to major cities? Are they allowed to leave base? Logistically, what is going on?

252 Upvotes

u/PeanutTheGladiator /sol/earth/na/usa/wi 25d ago

/r/Wisconsin moderation has reached out to Fort McCoy for information on any sort of donations of comfort items or personal care items these people may need. As this is an extremely fluid situation, and we didn't reach out until after 5pm, we don't expect to have any sort of details for ... a while.

If any donations are needed at the base, we will make an announcement to the community the second we have details to share. Stay tuned!

→ More replies

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u/Ichiban71 25d ago

I think Wisconsin has over 40,000 Hmong. I don't know what the original refugee numbers were, but they back the Packers and eat cheese curds just as well as any Wisconsinite I've met.

Hope we get some good Afghani restaurants out of this

92

u/Hecho_en_Shawano 25d ago

Back in the early 80’s in GB I was one of the few kids who’d talk with Hmong kids in our school. I’m sure it was tough on them, but they seemed happy. I hope WI can the right thing and welcome them to the community

25

u/daBorgWarden 25d ago

Thank you for welcoming them.

41

u/Ichiban71 25d ago edited 24d ago

These folks have been through hell. A couple fat trumpers yelling racial epithets is going to be a walk in the park.

I knew a couple Southern Vietnamese soldiers who had survived the reeducation camps that came to Wisconsin in the early eighties. Those guys were fearless and tough as nails.

Edited to remove offensive term.

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u/InconvenientlyKismet 24d ago

Comment removed. Sorry. We are very neutral in our "tard" policy here. Can't use it to disparage people on the left, right, middle... Just don't use it. Thanks.

8

u/Ichiban71 24d ago

My bad. Got carried away.

1

u/PeanutTheGladiator /sol/earth/na/usa/wi 24d ago

Re-approved - comment has been edited.

19

u/Hecho_en_Shawano 25d ago

Good point! I just remember the kid giving me some of the food his mom packed for lunch. Blew me away how great it was.

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u/mightymaurauder 25d ago

My neighbors are Hmong refugees. Honestly the best neighbors I’ve ever had. They maintain their own traditions but are super friendly and just glad to be here.

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u/deevotionpotion 25d ago edited 25d ago

The egg rolls around Eau Claire are amazing.

Edit: Anyone going through EC or visiting and wondering where to get some amazing egg rolls, check out Egg Roll Plus. It's a tiny little place near the hospital downtown.

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u/AcePapa 25d ago

Fuckin preach

16

u/jeobleo 25d ago

Wausau farmers market is heavily indebted to enterprising Hmong families selling produce. Without them it's just people trying to flog kombucha.

7

u/adognamedpenguin 25d ago

Saw a language map, and Hmong was the 2nd most spoken in WI. Where are all the good restaurants?

2

u/JollyRancher29 25d ago

Hell I had some amazing Hmong food once in some small eastern town…Plymouth maybe? You don’t get that in towns like that outside the upper midwest

1

u/countess_snow 24d ago

Awwww boo, they're pork egg rolls, and they don't have an alt/veggie option. I can't have pork. The spicy chicken pho looks good though.

1

u/mrmadchef 414-Born and Raised 25d ago

Well, dag. I wish I had known when I was in EC last fall. As it is, the place I stopped at for lunch was about the only good thing that came out of that trip.

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u/hojpoj 25d ago

They also brought the Eau Claire Farmer’s Market to amazing status.

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u/Junkyarddog127 25d ago

Agreed. I was there in the early 2000s. Almost all produce was $1.

14

u/hypomyces 25d ago

There’s a old Hmong lady at the Madison Square market that I call the dollar store. Amazing produce, super friendly and cheap! She was so excited when I bought mustard greens. “Mustard greens, you can use them for everything!”

5

u/hojpoj 25d ago

And so much to choose from - just all the varieties of potatoes alone was impressive.

50

u/Capolan 25d ago

some of the Hmong people here were serious scary rambo-esque bad asses back in the day, I don't know a better way to say it. I've talked to nice older Hmong men who have some serious war stories...

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u/mightymaurauder 25d ago

I can’t say anything about being like Rambo but they had to cross a major river while the wife was pregnant while fleeing Laos and several of their relatives drowned in the process. Then had their first kid in a refugee camp. You’d never know the trauma they went through on the surface.

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u/Capolan 25d ago edited 25d ago

Hmong Warriors: https://factsanddetails.com/asian/cat66/sub417/item2741.html

"Hmong were called "damned good fighters" by the CIA. They fought bravely against some of the toughest North Vietnamese and Lao troops for 13 years and suffered from casualty rate five times higher than the rate experienced by U.S. soldiers. "

"Bill Lair, a CIA official based in Laos at the time, who directed the agency’s operations there, says Hmong soldiers risked their own lives to lead many U.S. pilots to safety. The total number of American airmen rescued by the Hmong was, according to agency spokesman Mark Mansfield, never tallied by the CIA. (part of a secret army backed by the CIA - leader - Nou Yee Yang) Yang, now 65, fled Laos after the communist takeover in 1975 and has lived in Milwaukee since 1979."

:Another Hmong veteran in Milwaukee, Xay Dang Xiong, 61, says he commanded Hmong forces protecting a secret American radar installation on a Laotian mountaintop. Like Yang, Xiong fled Laos in 1975. Today, he works with Lao Family Community, a Hmong social service agency in Milwaukee “When we fought alongside the Americans in Laos, it was called the secret war,” he says. “Hmong people did so many dangerous things to help, but people here still don’t know that. It’s still like a secret.”"

5

u/Skinnysusan 25d ago

That sounds awful. Glad they made it

4

u/pain-is-living 24d ago

Miss my Hmong neighbors.

I knew it was Saturday because they'd be singing their songs on the front stoop sharpening their big ol butcher knife getting ready to go down the Menominee river and catch carp to eat.

They always offered me fish, I always declined their carp lol. Not my thing. I'd give them a salmon or trout occasionally of I caught some myself. Great people. Lovely family traditions. Miss them :(

2

u/ksiyoto 25d ago

Same here

69

u/pandemicshutdown 25d ago

Well we are getting thousands of people who just left their entire worlds behind in quite traumatic circumstances. They are now being shuffled about like human cattle to get as many people sorted as possible. And they are in a place that is a super huge culture shock on multiple levels. Can't imagine that is too easy on them, ya know? Mostly I am wondering if they are going to receive local support and settle here or go elsewhere that is home to more services that can better help them and we are just an intermediate step.

Also please yes let's get some good food going.

44

u/Ichiban71 25d ago

I didn't mean to downplay what they are currently going through, but I am sure that their futures hold way more promise (as long as they can tolerate our winters) than where they were coming from.

The whole situation is ugly and complicated by the fact that we had a hand in their current predicament.

That being said, knowing that there are going to be a bunch of girls who can now go to school without fear of being killed gives me a little boost of pride in my country.

15

u/MysteriousAd9154 25d ago edited 25d ago

I don’t think you’re downplaying it, I loved it and I think that’s the attitude everyone should have towards foreigners, regardless of their status. See the things we have in common instead of the differences.

More people like you and less people wondering how long they’re staying here is the right way of looking at it.

19

u/RangiChangi 25d ago

They’ll likely be kept at the bases while their applications for Special Immigrant Visas or possibly refugee status are processed. If they succeed in those processes, they’ll likely be resettled throughout the country where domestic resettlement agencies will help them for the first years (lining up apartments, helping find jobs, teaching them how to use public transport, etc.). It’s highly unlikely they’d all be resettled in WI.

Unfortunately, domestic resettlement agencies were pretty decimated under the last administration, so whether they have the capacity to assist so many people this quickly is a good question. After Vietnam, churches were heavily involved in resettling SE Asian refugees, so it would be nice if churches and community organizations would be willing and able to step up again.

14

u/ksiyoto 25d ago

Because so many Hmong went through Ft. McCoy, a lot of them ended up in Wisconsin. Given our climate, a lot of the elders went into depression during the winter, so maybe it wasn't quite the right situation for them. Younger Hmong adapted well.

I hope the Afghanis get into whatever works best for them. I kinda wish my business had an open position so I could offer it to one of them as my way of welcoming them here.

7

u/Dot81 25d ago

I used to work with a Hmong man. They went through a lot as well. A lot of the adult men died helping us, then the women and children nearly died getting to the refugee camp, then waited years to get here. They did a great job preserving their culture and fitting into local communities. I'm sure these good people will do the same.

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u/stoner_97 25d ago

Gave the Hmong lots of carp I shot while bow fishing. I hope they used them for fertilizer but honestly I think they smoked em and ate them.

One time we dropped off a bunch of carp and one of the gardeners gave us a tour of the field. Best tasting snap peas I’ve ever had. Almost tasted like candy.

Love the Hmong

7

u/Ichiban71 25d ago

That's funny. I used to give all the squirrels I'd hunted to a Hmong family. They really got excited about squirrel meat. The mom would cook them up and we'd have a big party and drink ourselves silly.

5

u/stoner_97 25d ago

I bet. All the Hmong I met were super nice.

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u/mesembryanthemum 25d ago

I lived near a funeral home. One day I was backing out of my driveway, didn't quite get it right and ended up in a snowbank. A little old Hmong lady departing the funeral home put her purse down and helped push me out without even asking.

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u/stoner_97 24d ago

That’s wholesome as hell.

2

u/MikeAWBD 25d ago

Ha, we used to give them bullheads we'd catch fishing at the park when we were kids.

7

u/ceMmnow 24d ago

Refugees and immigrants are keeping Milwaukee alive and they bring in their own culture AND start stanning Bucks, Brewers, Packers, fish fry, and Culver's. We can only win as a state with more people coming in and I would LOVE Milwaukee to become a hub for Afghani folks too. We already got Hmong, Rohingya, Karen, and some Somali and Syrian refugees.

1

u/ThrowDLH 13d ago

TIL that there’s an ethnic group called Karen lol.

1

u/ceMmnow 13d ago

Yup, an ethnic group that is being killed in Myanmar due to opposing the government. Their refugee camps are in Thailand not Malaysia due to being Buddhist unlike the Rohingya but here they often share spaces with the Rohingya

3

u/Rignite 25d ago

This is the spirit!

2

u/Yams_Are_Evil 25d ago

Awesome! Agreed!

3

u/thyusername 25d ago

Hijacking to post link to Francesca Hong about where you can donate/volunteer to help

https://twitter.com/FrancescaHongWI/status/1427309306928582659

1

u/Paleo_Fecest 24d ago

Hmong egg rolls are out of this world.

-1

u/Iguyking 25d ago

Hmong folks I've met and become friends with appreciate that they were given another lease on life. When they first came here they had to learn that some of their life style wasn't cool in America suck as eating dogs for food. Once they learned these things they adjusted and are good neighbors generally.

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u/krizriktr 25d ago

Logistically I have no idea what’s gonna happen. My thought is ‘Welcome.’

139

u/Taumer91 25d ago

Having worked with Afghans while in RC-East, Jalalabad and surrounding area I hope that we can get even a fraction of them over here to be resettled. It's the least we can do for what we tried and failed to accomplish in 20 years. The Taliban may not want to harm them like their press releases are saying, but it's better to be safe then sorry. I will welcome any Afghan refugee fleeing the Taliban with open arms and a bottle of water.

Any 'Murican who wants to argue this can gladly meet me in person and we can talk it out.

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u/Metalsoul262 25d ago

I don't see how people can judge a refugee based on the actions of the people or country they are fleeing. What makes anybodys culture or dreams inferior? The vast majority of there people have family and possessions torn away from them it's so sad to even think that there's people that would see them lose even more then they already have. I too welcome our new neighbors and I look forward to seeing their lives rebuilt in our country of infinite opportunity

11

u/Taumer91 25d ago

Everybody who has issues with this always fall back on they had to struggle or the ancestors 100 years ago had to struggle and apparently that means every single person in the world has to as well.

I can't imagine what this Country, no the World, would be like if everyone actually carried for their neighbors the way they pretend to when they go to church on the Holidays.

5

u/[deleted] 24d ago

The Taliban already are harming them. Young women no longer able to get an education. The harm may be social in nature rather than physical but the people are already being oppressed.

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u/Taumer91 24d ago

There are pics of females walking to school in Kabul taken just after the Taliban took over. Maybe out in the sticks they are forcing them to close, but in Kabul the reports from locals are females have to wear face coverings and they are removing any advertising and posters that have females faces on them.

Edit:. Don't get me wrong, what social changes they are putting into place are completely wrong and should not exist in the World when it's the year 2021.

2

u/[deleted] 24d ago

I had just saw a picture of young girls going to school and the teachers having to refuse them. It was what spawned my comment.

I don't know where it was at. I was sorting by popular or all this morning when I saw it.

1

u/MrSprichler 24d ago

That's simply a matter of time tbh. They have iron control in rural areas. Give it a couple years and they have kabul under the same draconian laws

1

u/PeanutTheGladiator /sol/earth/na/usa/wi 24d ago

Give it a couple years and they have kabul under the same draconian laws

Years? That's a done deal by the end of the week. I'd bet the Taliban agreed to this non-violent takeover as we left the country with the greatest peace treaty ever that didn't involve the Afgans at all.

They control the country. They're letting us hold the airport...nobody but foreign people can get past their checkpoints to the airport...

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u/dank2918 25d ago

There are folks out there saying that there will be terrorists perpetrating the refugees. What’s your take on that?

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u/Mayor_Of_Dogs 25d ago

Those people are intensely stupid bigots

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u/GrinGrintharl 25d ago

Do you mean “infiltrating?”

It’s possible, I suppose, but I don’t think we should be so fearful of our own security that we fail to welcome those who have much less.

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u/dispass 25d ago

It's not possible. People in America don't understand how the refugee process works.

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u/dispass 25d ago

The folks who say that are dumb. The refugee process is a fucking labyrinth to get through. Good luck to any terrorist who tries to "infliltrate" the US by way of a refugee application.

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u/Taumer91 25d ago

A single person can slip the nets, sure, that is almost a guarantee in todays world. Look at the Saudi Arabian Air Force Pilot that shot up the Air Force base in the panhandle of Florida. But until they start vetting and finding all the Pro-White, Right Wing Christian Religious extremist inside our own Country, I will gladly take in the huge number of friendly Afghans with the risk of one or two potential 'terrorists' that MIGHT be on one of those flights who will then be stuck and carefully guarded on one of the several military installations like Fort McCoy.

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u/JollyRancher29 25d ago

Anyone can be an asshole, and some of the refugees will be just like some Americans are, but these are people. Anyone who thinks terrorism because of the country they happen to come from is a bigot.

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u/Ichiban71 25d ago

They'd most likely be turned in by the other refugees. Or they'd get a taste of the freedom and opportunities that living here would afford them and they would smarten up real fast and give that shit up.

-2

u/DICKSUBJUICY REDRAW THE MAPS FAIRLY GODAMNIT 24d ago

freedom and opportunities

this country is really lacking in those departments these days though...

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u/chicaberry 25d ago

I was in college in SW WI in the early 80s. Part of my community Ed class assignment was to tutor Hmong women at the local YMCA. It was so much fun! Their kids, having attended American schools, were already fluent in English so the hardest part of my job was keeping them from translating for mom. The number one things the women wanted to learn was how to communicate with their neighbors, at the grocery store and with their kids’ teachers.

It was rewarding, bonding and a time I think of often. I hope any new refugees are welcomed with open arms in our beautiful state.

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u/WiDirtFishing 25d ago

This GWOT Vet approves and welcomes them.

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u/phoenix1984 25d ago

Welcome! How can I help? Food? Shelter? Just need a cultural liaison? I want more info on how I can help them settle in, get acclimated, and feel welcome.

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u/PeanutTheGladiator /sol/earth/na/usa/wi 25d ago

The few details I've been able to glean from mostly educated speculation of previous such emergency movements of people, the people will likely be held on the base and not allowed to leave. They may be transported from McCoy to their final host city after processing, vetting, and issuing a visa.

All speculation at this point.

8

u/binarysol0 25d ago

This is what I was expecting. I live miles from there and can't imagine that they would just expected to live here.

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u/stroxx 25d ago

I volunteered with a service that helped to tutor refugee children and it was shocking how unprepared some of these families were for even slightly chilly weather. Add to that how harsh Wisconsin winters can occasionally turn and you then realize all those winter boots, blankets, and amenities are really taken for granted. These people really will need support.

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u/pandemicshutdown 25d ago

Yeah it doesn't matter that Afghanistan is full of mountains and people understand the cold if you aren't given a coat for the winter here.

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u/Skinnysusan 25d ago

That's a great point, I know that the mountainous region of Afghanistan would get cold. I'm unsure of how much "winter" they've experienced tho. Not to mention the culture shock on top of it all. Sounds like Wisconsin will be very welcoming for them.

7

u/Saxonbrun 25d ago

The winters in wardak province give WI a run for our money

0

u/Skinnysusan 25d ago

Mountains usually get snow, not always but

7

u/pizzainoven 25d ago

Keep an eye on the website of

https://opendoorsforrefugees.org/

2

u/Splazoid 24d ago

Join World Relief in their Good Neighbor program. They are providing training and support for local people to help refugees when they arrive. Things like how American doctors visits work, navigating grocery stores, social security offices etc.

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u/maethor1337 ronjohnsonfacts.com 25d ago

Welcome to the United States.

Are they settling in? Being transitioned to major cities? Are they allowed to leave base? Logistically, what is going on?

I don't think they're "in the United States" for customs purposes. They're working on expediting Special Immigration Visas. For the time being, I imagine they're rather quite confined.

6

u/Skinnysusan 25d ago

I'd imagine they're almost "detained" similar to Mexican immigrants. Hope the conditions are better for them

1

u/MrSprichler 24d ago

Yeah they probably will be. The us army has a higher standard than the racist fucks in border patrol

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u/FiftyCandles 25d ago

This post is only two hours old, but boy do the responses here give me hope for this state.

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u/ConsistentAmount4 25d ago

/r/wisconsin is overwhelmingly liberal, which has helped with my feelings of isolation knowing that a Republican is guaranteed to win all my local seats.

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u/Blobwad 25d ago

Reddit /r/wisconsin nicely offsets all of the ignorant facebook posts we get berated with every day.

6

u/[deleted] 24d ago

There's a solution to that by the way.

Delete facebook ;)

1

u/TheDeadEndKing 24d ago

Hey now, there is no need to delete it, just delete most of your ‘friends’ list and use it primarily to keep up in important things, like cats, heavy metal and Warhammer!

23

u/Rayne2522 25d ago

I've been sitting here absolutely loving the responses to this post!

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u/pandemicshutdown 25d ago

Then check out the new stickied announcement at the top of it.

7

u/Gardengoddess83 25d ago

Right?! I came here a little nervous, but I am pleasantly surprised!

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u/Conscious-Rip4407 25d ago

I’d like to thank them for helping us out over there and welcome them to their new country!

31

u/[deleted] 25d ago

[deleted]

13

u/pandemicshutdown 25d ago

What happened that made it go poorly?

23

u/herumspringen 25d ago

Many of the people coming over in the Mariel boatlift were people that Castro had just released from prisons or psychiatric asylums, to make it more difficult for the US to take them in. We had well over 100K Cubans (with tens of thousands of Haitians as well) show up in a short time, and our government wasn’t prepared to process them.

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u/enjoying-retirement 25d ago

Castro emptied his prisons and mental institutions and shipped them to the U.S.

For a fictionalized version, see the opening scenes of Scarface.

2

u/gnocchicotti 25d ago

Ah, the Australia Maneuver

11

u/green_dragonfly_art 25d ago

Overcrowded conditions (15,000 people) created tensions and rivalries, so rapes, murders, and a riot resulted.

https://ss.sites.mtu.edu/mhugl/2017/10/21/fort-mccoy-wi-cuban-resettlement-1980/

2

u/FrostyFoss 24d ago

Yeah we gotta be careful, I have no problem letting in Afghans if they're well vetted.

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u/WorkingItOutSomeday 25d ago

Fine with me

2

u/Lordvaughn92 Fight on for Her Fame 25d ago

Mmhmm

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u/herumspringen 25d ago

I assume that they will be held on-base until their asylum/refugee status is sorted out, then settled throughout the country

9

u/pandemicshutdown 25d ago

That makes sense. I know Atlanta is a hub for resettlement and I think Minneapolis is, too. Not sure how many Wisconsin is set up to accomodate, but I hope we have something in place.

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u/ZemyaSoldat 24d ago edited 24d ago

For people looking to help:

Per the WI Department of Children and Families, here is a list of the official resettlement organizations for WI. Other groups like Open Doors for Refugees work in concert with one of these four organizations.

On a brief overview:

Jewish Social Services works out of the Madison Area

World Relief has offices in the Fox Valley Area.

  • They are an explicitly Christian Org, and you have to agree with Mission/Vision/Values in order to volunteer. These are listed in the volunteer application. I have also found the Statement of Faith, which is unexceptional, I suppose.

Lutheran Social Services looks like it works out of Waukesha and Eau Claire.

International Institute of Wisconsin appears to be heavily based in the Milwaukee Area.

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u/bankrobberdub 25d ago

I feel like this support is the least we can do.

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u/Particular_PeaWI 25d ago

I think its the least we can do. Especially when considered those under threat are the ones who helped us.

For anyone interested in helping on a local level you can check this out:

https://opendoorsforrefugees.org/

4

u/littlewhale88 25d ago

This is wonderful! Is there a similar group in Milwaukee?

2

u/Particular_PeaWI 24d ago

Not 100% but I would assume so.

I would check r/Milwaukee

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u/Fresh_Income_7411 25d ago

Me and the GF were talking about whether or not it's such a thing to foster a family while they transition. I'm sure it would be a long screening process, but we'd be more than willing to give some people a place to stay. A home would be a lot better than Fort Mccoy (having spent a lot of time there).

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u/bthe12c 25d ago

I worked with Afghan refugees for five years in Pakistan in the early 90s. It is where I met my future wife. We would like to host some folks if it's possible.

1

u/pandemicshutdown 24d ago

I really want to know what those channels are for hosting. I keep hearing about it, but don't know the programs.

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u/steppedinhairball 25d ago

I'm cool with it. Give them a shot at a better life. No more worrying about getting beheaded.

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u/yeskayallday 25d ago

Proud of our state! I’d love to know how to help them and if they relocate here, teach them about squeakers and bubblers.

3

u/Brown_BearOne 24d ago

Some of my best friends growing up were Hmong refugees from Vietnam. They have added so much to our communities. I hope that they can find peace and stability here and find a place in our communities. I just hope our communities will welcome these people with the compassion that someone in their position deserves and not with hate and vitriol.

11

u/Fishmasterflex96 25d ago

Everyone deserves the chance to be welcomed

11

u/Bucksin06 25d ago

When I was young my parents worked at fort McCoy many years ago and we ended up having refugees stay at our house. They were the most pleasant people and it was a wonderful experience I'll always remember.

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u/Consistent-Guard-751 25d ago

I'm happy to welcome them, I'm concerned about which Americans they will meet first. That's Trump country over there. I'm heart broken to think the first thing they hear is "go back to where you came from!!"

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u/MurDoct The Falls 25d ago

I'm fine with it

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u/Nowthatisfresh Madison 25d ago

I'm wish them strength and peace, they're gonna need it settling into a military base in a post lost-the-war society

I hope we have the resources in place to make sure everyone stays safe.

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u/BurdenedEmu Fuck the Tavern League 25d ago

I would like to welcome them and make them feel at home any way I can, if anyone knows of any resources to help them please link them. I can't imagine how scary it would be evacuating home in a situation like that. I hope they're made to feel comfortable and don't have to deal with too many MAGA dipshits being horrible.

2

u/StormyDragons 24d ago

If you didn’t see it already, this comment has some good info.

2

u/BurdenedEmu Fuck the Tavern League 24d ago

Oh great, thank you!

3

u/showmeyournachos 25d ago

I welcome them with open arms. I wish they could stay in their homeland and feel safe and secure, but since that's not an option, I'm happy to have them here. I just hope they feel safe and and are able to find some solace.

2

u/_timbo_slice_ 24d ago

Imma keep saying our mantra should be “open arms and gruber t’s”

6

u/PandaFreak10736 25d ago

I'm excited, I think the more diversity the better.

7

u/Jean-Ralphio_S 25d ago edited 25d ago

Honestly a little worried for the refugees. I grew up in the surrounding area and this post sums it up pretty well. (Edit: the linked post is written by a soldier who spoke with their battalion)

I welcome the diversity, I hope the refugees feel as safe as they can.

It’s the locals I have issue with. I hope they do better, just not confident they will.

5

u/jasonfp9009 25d ago

I feel like Wisconsinites are very welcoming people. Sure there’s loud Trumper dipshits but most of them are just old, bored boomers that make a lot of noise with their keyboard.

As far as the military base goes, maybe the cultural exchange will change their perspective a bit. I know a lot of military members get a perspective change when they get placed overseas and interact with different cultures.

7

u/Jean-Ralphio_S 25d ago

I wish I could agree. I want to agree. Your take seems too idealistic for me.

I know there are some very real sundown areas in Wisconsin. Friends have wandered into the wrong bars late into the evening and were told to get the fuck out because they were having a meeting with confederate and nazi flags hung in the bar after closing.

The good wisconsinites need to do more to address the bad - even if there are indeed only a few (again, I’d say that seems a bit idealistic to me). Bad apples spoil the bunch. You seem to be well intentioned. Best wishes in helping Wisconsin be the welcoming ideal you want it to be. I hope we get there!

1

u/jasonfp9009 25d ago

Yeah I mean there’s a pretty decent chance that they get some odd looks at the grocery store or maybe some off comments here and there until they can move to a more diverse part of the state, but there’s much worse places in the US they could’ve ended up

3

u/Skinnysusan 25d ago

I just want to say, while I no longer currently live in Wisconsin, the ppl of this sub are wonderful and make me miss it even more!

5

u/MalWinchester FRJ 25d ago

Welcome to Wisconsin! Help your self to the buffet. There's cheese curds, brats, fish fry, potato pancakes, and lots of other local delicacies. We also have Packers, Brewers, Bucks, Admirals, and Badger gear if you need clothes. Anything else you need, let us know. You're a Wisconsinite now, neighbor!

3

u/andrewatnu 25d ago

Welcome!

4

u/MaximusFrank 25d ago

It’s the least we could do for them

4

u/tangled-upin-blue 25d ago

Awesome.

4

u/tangled-upin-blue 25d ago

I've worked with some of them and I've been worried sick the past week. I'm glad they've been taken into our care.

4

u/ABgraphics 25d ago

Bring in all 40 million if that's what it takes, it's the least we can do.

2

u/EDMFan414 25d ago

I'm okay with it. This is what happens in "Wars". Those who helped get refuge in that Country. I welcome all with warm hearts ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤🤍

2

u/Legitimate_Roll7514 24d ago

Had no idea Ft. McCoy was hoising refugees. I think that is a good thing.

2

u/WooBadger18 25d ago

I'm so happy they are bringing them to Wisconsin. I hope they can be permanently settled in Wisconsin and that they bring over significantly more people.

1

u/Blobwad 25d ago

If I didn't have 2 kids in the house (one less than 2 months old) I'd seriously be trying to figure out if there's anything we could do.

As another mentioned, I hope they aren't greeted with the hatred that can be rural WI. If Facebook lends any eye into what's to come it will be challenging.

If English speaking I would hope they would be afforded some opportunities during this "labor shortage" that we're in. Great time economically but unfortunately the language barrier is going to be a hurdle.

0

u/2manyemilys 24d ago

Another great way to support refugees is to support adult literacy non-profits that provide English classes, career training, and other services that give refugees the skills that they need to find sustainable employment in the US. Wisconsin Literacy is the statewide organization that supports this in Wisconsin, and they work with the regional organizations across the state if you’re looking for something local.

-9

u/thyusername 25d ago

tHeY'Re tAkUn oUr jOBs!

2

u/LongUsername 24d ago

The ones that every business can't seem to fill? Everyone seems to be doing open interviews in the service industry. I think a lot of companies would be thrilled to have them.

5

u/thyusername 24d ago

Agreed, I thought the way I typed it negated the need for /s

0

u/judohero 24d ago

We could use some good middle eastern restaurants tbh....

-1

u/RangiChangi 24d ago

Technically Central/South Asian, but the food is good.

1

u/exgiexpcv 24d ago

I'm looking forward to hopefully helping some of them get settled in the Madison area -- anyone know of which groups are volunteering to assist them?

2

u/StormyDragons 24d ago

this comment has some info.

2

u/exgiexpcv 24d ago

Thanks /u/StormyDragons! This was posted after my comment, and while I was at work, I saw some other sources providing information, so hopefully we can make some people feel safe and feed them some deep-fried cheese curds with Sriracha-Ranch sauce.

1

u/FlakyBandicoot9 10d ago

Give me your tired, your poor Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.

-1

u/thebdup 24d ago

I’m fine with it, but I’d be ecstatic about making a trade. We’ll take all of the refugees, but Afghanistan takes everyone who voted for and supported the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.