This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The refugee family arriving from Afghanistan on Feb. 1 was welcomed by people with signs and balloons, cheers and tears. They were then placed in a free apartment, with furniture donated by kindhearted Americans, food stamps paid by taxpayers, free health care, etc. It was wonderful.
But there seems to be something missing from this picture. What about the American citizens — men, women, adolescents, children, families — in the homeless shelters? Why does a refugee family of seven get a free or low-income apartment when 1,100 American men and women are living in a criminal, drug-infested environment?
Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski says there is a lack of 7,500 rent-appropriate apartments. But we take in more and more refugees but, again, can't take care of our American homeless population. We have American families living in squalor, doubling up just to be able to pay the rent. Why do American liberals open their hearts to refugees, but refuse to give a dime to poor Americans? Where are the balloons and welcoming signs for the American citizen?
Bobbie L. Hess
Woods Cross