I write today to encourage the Rowan County Board of Commissioners to opt in to continuing to accept refugees into our county.

We are blessed to have agencies that have an exemplary record of supporting and resettling these individuals then ensuring they become contributors to our community. Our employers need workers and our farmers especially need people willing and unafraid to work hard.

The current administration in Washington has stated it has effective systems in place to  prevent refugees with criminal intent from entering the program, so citizens should support these people without concern.

This can be a win-win for both the county and those seeking refuge.

We need look no further than the mid 1970s for proof the program works. At that time the county opened our arms to the Hmong refugees from war-torn Laos.

Indeed, the country as a whole accepted and resettled over 90% of the more than 200,000 immigrants who came to our shores. They became productive citizens, assimilating into our way of life while adhering to their core beliefs such as their religious practices.

Let’s put these folks to work improving our economy while offering them a better way of life.

BD Robinson

Salisbury