September 12, 2018
The Honorable Thom Tillis
U.S. Senator
185 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Thom Tillis,
We write as 9 members of the North Carolina business community – employers of all sizes and across industries – to express our support for refugees resettling in the United States. We urge you to consider the positive contributions refugees make in our communities as you determine the number of refugee entries for fiscal year 2019.
Refugees are vital to the continuing prosperity of our communities – they pay taxes, help grow our economy, and bring unique skill sets, experiences, and insights. They improve our Triad’s quality of life and are helping shape North Carolina’s opportunities for continued growth. Collectively, we have hired over 450 refugees since 2013 through our partnership with Church World Service (CWS).
CWS is a resettlement organization that is focused on providing assistance and resettlement services to those displaced by violence and discrimination, headquartered in New York, NY. We support their mission to protect and enhance the lives of children and families around the world. To serve refugee families resettling in the United States, CWS has a network of nearly 125 businesses that employ refugees, helping them become productive and contributing residents. We value our refugee employees, and we hope to continue hiring refugees for years to come.
Because of the employment services CWS provides refugees, we have been able to hire dedicated workers who often have the desire and ability to move up in our companies. We have found that refugees are hardworking, motivated, and loyal employees. In addition, many refugees have contributed to North Carolina’s rich culture by starting their own businesses.
The contributions refugees make to our communities have helped the Triad thrive. In 2017, CWS’s Refugee Employment Program placed 82 refugees with over 24 employers. Last year alone, refugees collectively earned approximately $1.6 million in wages.
We are proud that the United States has a reputation of providing help to refugees – to those who have suffered from violent conflict, at the hands of terrorists, and as victims of trafficking or slavery. Not only does resettling refugees advance our nation’s historic ability to provide protection, ease suffering, and resolve the plight of persecuted and uprooted people, it strengthens our communities.
Thank you for considering our views and experiences.
Sincerely,
Amplio Recruiting
CWS-Greensboro
Endura Products
KDH Defense Systems
New Arrivals Institute, INC
Synergistic Staffing
United Finishers Inc.
XLC Services, LLC
Yellow Dog Design