PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - A group of Republican state lawmakers wants to give the Legislature control over refugee resettlement agreements in South Dakota.
Senate President Pro Tempore Brock Greenfield tells the Argus Leader (https://argusne.ws/2jnCn6Z) that his bill would allow the Legislature to put a “stamp of approval” on any refugee resettlement proposed in the state.
Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota is the state’s lone resettlement program. Rebecca Kiesow-Knudsen, vice president of community services, says the group works with the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement to place refugees in South Dakota.
Kiesow-Knudsen says the organization has an open communication line with local officials and the governor’s office.
She says Lutheran Social Services hasn’t taken a stance on the bill, which doesn’t currently have a hearing date scheduled at the Capitol.
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Information from: Argus Leader, https://www.argusleader.com
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