Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) sent a letter to President Joe Biden yesterday asking several questions regarding the 1,800 Afghan refugees sent to Oklahoma. 

Oklahoma is set to receive the 3^rd largest number of refugees in the country. 

The letter can be found here and below. 

October 21, 2021

President Joseph R. Biden

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW

Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear President Biden,

I write with growing concern over the lack of transparency you Administration has demonstrated over the past several months. There has been an influx of migrants in the U.S. and now a frantic relocation of Afghan refugees around our country, with Oklahoma receiving the third highest amount in the nation.

As you know, my home state of Oklahoma received 1,800 Afghan refugees, eight hundred of them relocating in Tulsa. An honorable and effective plan to protect our allies should be adopted. However, we cannot ignore basic vetting processes for any immigrants migrating to our country, which is exactly what happened during the chaotic withdrawal in Afghanistan. In order to protect our homeland and my constituents in Oklahoma, I request answers to the following questions that have come directly from the people of Oklahoma’s First District.

1. What are the numbers of refugees the U.S. and Oklahoma have received to-date?
2. How many more refugees are expected in the U.S. and Oklahoma by the end of the year?
3. What is the amount of federal taxpayer dollars allocated to Oklahoma to assist these refugees?
   1. What is the amount of taxpayer dollars Oklahoma is expected to provide out of the state budget to assist these refugees?
   2. What, if any, federal benefits are these refugees receiving?
4. How has your administration determined where the refugees are going and how many each state will receive?
5. Where are these refugees being housed across Oklahoma?
6. How many, if any, are being housed at U.S. military bases?
   1. If so, are they allowed to leave the bases?
7. What is the current vetting process of these refugees?
8. Were these refugees vetted for any sort of ties to extremism or criminal records?
   1. If not, what will be the operating procedure to handle the extent of vetting?
9. Of the 800 families going to Tulsa, how many are U.S. interpreters vs. family members or other refugees?
   1. Of the 1,800 in Oklahoma, what is this count?
10. Are all individuals in Oklahoma in possession of a Special Immigrant Visa?
    1. If not, how many?

I appreciate your swift response and look forward to receiving your answers.

Sincerely,

Kevin Hern

Member of Congress

Cc: Secretary Mayorkas, Secretary Blinken

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