Many Americans voice legitimate concerns about more competition for jobs. especially at a time when recession is setting in. I have looked into this question. The facts do not reveal that refugees. once fully trained. are stealing jobs from Americans. Quite the contrary. it would appear refugees are filling jobs no one else wants. For example. the Oregon Employment Division recently dispatched a busload of Huong tribesmen to a farm near North Plains. Oregon. where they picked strawberries on the verge of rotting because of a lack of pickers. Among the 50 States. Oregon has one of the highest per capital concentrations of Indochinese refugeesone to a little more than 350 Oregonians. compared with a 1. to 1.150 ratio nationwide. There are 6.500 Vietnamese. Cambodian. Lao. or Chinese refugees in Oregon. 80 percent of whom live in the Portland area. Estimates place new arivals in excess of 180 per month. Under the administration of former Gov. Bob Straub. Oregon achieved impressive success in providing basic language skills and job training. including a fundamental understanding of our working environment. Job placements increased and the number of refugees remaining off welfare declined. This effort must be redoubled. And it can be with a new wave of good will and volunteerism.
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