Local Politician Blasts Plans For Refugees To Be Relocated In The Hudson Valley

A local politician believes plans to relocate Syrian refugees to the Hudson Valley poses a, “Grave threat,” to local residents.

On Wednesday, Hudson Valley Post and WPDH broke the news that Church World Service, a global humanitarian organization that resettles Syrian refugees, is opening up a new location in Poughkeepsie.

The announcement was followed by mixed reviews, including harsh criticism from a man running for office in Orange County.

“The resettlement of unvetted Syrian refugees to the Hudson Valley serves as a grave national security threat to our state, community and families,” Colin Schmitt, the Republican, Conservative, Independence and Reform Party candidate for the 99th Assembly District and former Director of Operations for the NYS Senate Homeland Security Committee stated.

“The FBI cannot guarantee that there are not terrorists and others who wish to do us harm among the countless number of individuals in the de Blasio/Cuomo/Skoufis resettlement plan,” Schmitt added.

According to Church World Service, the Poughkeepsie office will help refugees find work, prep for a job, provide health services and cultural orientation.

Church World Service will host a public information session on Nov. 10 at the Adriance Memorial Library in Poughkeepsie from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. to educate the local area of their plans.

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