Some western Massachusetts mayors say they are pondering what an executive order from President Trump will mean for refugee resettlement in their communities.
Previously, local officials could not block refugees from being resettled in their cities and towns. But that would change under Trump's executive order.
Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, who in the past has said the city can't handle any more refugees, said he's taking a wait-and-see approach.
"If it's a good program being run, and empowerment so people can become self-sufficient, I'm all for it," Sarno said. "But we are at the point — I hear all the time: capacity."
West Springfield Mayor Will Reichelt said his town would need increased federal and state funding to handle more refugees.
"I would hate to cut off a refugee population that has made our community so diverse," Reichelt said. "I couldn't say now what we would do, but I would want to know more. I'd want to know what other communities are doing, and what funding is involved as well."
Kathryn Buckley-Brawner is the head of Catholic Charities. The Springfield-based agency helps with resettlement. She said the executive order will cause issues for those efforts.
"That's even going to make things quite a great deal more difficult," she said.
A spokesperson for Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signaled support in a statement for having refugees come to the state.
“The Baker-Polito Administration values the immigrant community’s role in making Massachusetts a vibrant and unique place to live and work, and believes the federal government’s recent policy decisions restrict the ability of individuals at risk for persecution to seek needed refuge in the United States," said Anisha Chakrabarti, Baker's deputy communication's director. "Immigrants and refugees are vital to Massachusetts’ economy, culture and civic life, and the Administration remains committed to supporting the most vulnerable residents and creating opportunities for all to thrive.”
The executive order takes effect in late December.
Under the policy change, the Secretary of State has the ability to place refugees in places that haven't granted permission — but would have to notify the president first, providing reasons why they are doing so.
