ATLANTA (AP) — Hundreds of refugees and immigrants filled the stairways and halls of the state Capitol in Georgia Thursday, shining a spotlight on their contributions and existence in their new country.
The gathering was hosted by the Coalition of Refugee Service Agencies to celebrate new Americans, particular those now living in Georgia.
The coalition of 21 refugee and immigrant-serving organizations sought to highlight the contributions made by refugees in the state and beyond.
The event comes as the federal government is appealing a judge’s decision to block the Trump administration from enforcing an executive order that allows state and local governments to turn away refugees.
The White House said in a statement last month that the judge’s ruling was “preposterous” and that Congress under the Refugee Act afforded the president authority over the refugee resettlement process.
