In 2015, a small but vocal group of residents and outsiders began speaking out against our community’s refugee population. National bloggers picked up on the local movement, amplifying the message negativity, hatred, and racism far beyond Idaho. The negativity grew to include the immigrant labor force.
We were caught off guard, believing that our community gives everyone a sense of belonging, especially refugees. We did not know how to respond to divisions within our community or to the unwelcome national attention.
We can do better. In 2016, a diverse group of community leaders met and committed to find solutions that would bring us together. The result of many discussion and difficult conversation was the Unity Alliance of Southern Idaho. We reflect our community’s support of our diverse city that is made up of refugees, immigrants, and asylum seekers.