Changes in federal policies are leading to fewer refugees moving into the U.S. and northeast Wisconsin.
World Relief Fox Valley Director Tami McLaughlin says the president sets the goal, and since 1980, the average has been 95,000 new refugees a year. This year, she says the admissions number is set at 18,000.
McLaughlin says they’re also trying to spread out where they’re placing families, between Oshkosh and the Fox Cities. She says about 70 percent used to settle in Oshkosh.
During the past fiscal year, 165 refugees settled in the Fox Valley, and 125 of them moved to the Appleton area.
A big factor in placing refugees is the cost of housing. It’s traditionally been lower in Oshkosh, compared to the Fox Cities.
