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Our 9 month series, New Hampshire's Immigration Story explored just that... the vast history of who came to New Hampshire, when they came, why they came, the challenges they faced once they landed on Granite State soil and the contributions that they brought to our state. The Exchange, Word of Mouth, and our News Department looked at the issue of immigration from its first arrivals to the newest refugees calling New Hampshire home.We saw how immigration affects our economy, health care, education system, culture and our current system of law. We also looked at what's going on in New Hampshire today, as we uncovered the groups, societies and little known people who are making an impact all over the state.Funding for NH's Immigration Story is brought to you in part by: New Hampshire Humanities Council, Norwin S. and Elizabeth N. Bean Foundation, The Gertrude Couch Trust0000017a-15d9-d736-a57f-17ff89e10000

Increased Security Measures Adds To Uncertainty For N.H. Refugee Families

This week the Trump Administration announced it would reopen the door to refugees from 11 so-called “high-risk” countries it had previously banned. But the Department of Homeland Security is also calling for increased security measures which it says will bolster public safety.

It’s hard to say what this might mean for refugees coming to New Hampshire, especially since local agencies don’t yet have clarity on how the screening process might change.

But Molly Short Carr at the International Institute of New England in Manchester said any increased uncertainty puts a strain on refugees she works directly with.

“It does leave a lot of refugees, who have family members they were expecting to come, very much in limbo and unsure what is going to happen,” Carr said.   

Overall, Carr said they’re seeing fewer refugees arrive in New Hampshire since the national ceiling was slashed by more than half for 2018.

About one-third of the way into the fiscal year, the institute says it’s resettled 22 refugees in New Hampshire, out of a goal of 206. 

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