City Club of Boise Virtual Conversation: The Refugee Experience in Idaho

Providing refuge to people fleeing persecution based on race, religion, nationality, social group, or political opinion is an integral part of America's framework. Idaho has welcomed refugees to the fabric of our community since the 1970s. There are over 26 million people who have been granted refugee status around the world; almost half are children under 18. Only 1% of these families and individuals will be resettled into a third country.

While the resettlement effort in the Boise area initially focused on refugees from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, it soon expanded in scope to include Eastern European refugees fleeing oppressive regimes of the Soviet era. Over the years, the refugee groups resettling in Idaho have changed and become remarkably diverse. Boise and Twin Falls' resettlement cities have been seen as particularly welcoming, safe spaces for families as they rebuild their lives. In 2019, in response to an executive order, our state overwhelmingly opted into refugee resettlement.

In 2020 Idaho ranked among the top five states in employment outcomes for newly resettled refugees. Our business community, schools, churches, and neighbors continue to benefit from New Americans in our community. Over the years, our community members who arrived as refugees have helped weave the fabric of our towns: they are our doctors, our farmers, our factory workers, our business owners, and our teachers, and Idaho would not be what it is today without them.

We’ll be joined by three Idahoans who arrived here as refugees: Maya Duratovic, Nawid Mousa, and Zeze Rwasama. This conversation will be moderated by City Club of Boise board president Kâren Sander.

This Virtual Conversation will be on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.