Pennsylvania Officials Address Detention of Bhutanese Refugees with Legal Status
Pennsylvania officials are addressing the detention of five Bhutanese immigrants with legal refugee status during a press conference. Attendees include lawmakers and community leader Tilak Niroula, who confirmed the individuals remain in ICE custody. Bhutanese immigrants, who fled ethnic cleansing in the 1990s, are predominantly resettled in Harrisburg, PA. This situation raises concerns amid heightened immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.
On Tuesday, Pennsylvania lawmakers, along with other elected officials, convened to address the detention of five Bhutanese immigrants residing in Harrisburg, all of whom possess legal refugee status in the United States. The press conference, scheduled to start at 10 a.m. at the Capitol, will be accessible for livestream viewing via PennLive.
The conference will feature Tilak Niroula, the leader of the Bhutanese community in Harrisburg. Mr. Niroula reported on Monday that the detained individuals, some of whom are family members, are currently in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The Bhutanese immigrants hold full refugee status in the U.S., which guarantees them legal documentation in the form of permanent resident cards, green cards, or naturalization as U.S. citizens. These Nepali-speaking refugees escaped ethnic cleansing in Bhutan during the 1990s, and the United States has since provided legal protection for tens of thousands of them.
A considerable number of Bhutanese refugees have made their home in central Pennsylvania, fostering a vibrant and supportive community in the Harrisburg area. Following a nationwide immigration initiative under President Donald Trump, Bhutanese immigrants expressed escalating fears about potential detentions during ongoing raids.
Notable attendees at the press conference include Dauphin County Commissioner Justin Douglas, Senator Patty Kim, and Representatives Justin Fleming and David Madsen, all of whom represent Dauphin County. This gathering highlights the urgent concern regarding the safety and legal rights of the Bhutanese community.
The press conference held by Pennsylvania officials underscores the critical issues facing the Bhutanese immigrant community, specifically regarding their legal status and the concerns surrounding immigration enforcement. The involvement of lawmakers emphasizes the community’s need for advocacy and support. Overall, the detention of individuals with legal refugee status raises pressing questions about immigration policy and the treatment of vulnerable populations in the U.S.
Original Source: www.pennlive.com
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