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By Nathan Brown | Arizona Capitol Times
Arizona’s Republican governor and House speaker said August 19 they would welcome Afghan refugees into the state, staking out a clear position in a dispute that has been dividing their party.
Gov. Doug Ducey and Speaker Rusty Bowers, R-Mesa, said in a joint statement that the Afghans fleeing the Taliban served alongside American forces in Afghanistan and “are in this position because of President Biden’s negligence and inability to lead.”
They quoted Ephesians 2:19, which says, “So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God.”
“Despite the President’s poor response to growing tensions in the Middle East, Arizona recognizes the service of thousands of Afghans over the last 20 years,” the two said. “As refugees come and find homes in states across the nation, we welcome them to our state full of opportunity and choice, and we’re working closely with federal and state officials to offer them safety in Arizona.”
Bowers and Ducey said the Arizona Office of Refugee Resettlement will work with refugees to help them get housing, health care and employment, enroll in English classes if needed and enroll their children in school.
