As the Syrian refugee crisis continues in Europe, President Obama announced Thursday the United States would commit to take in 10,000 Syrian refugees during Fiscal Year 2016.
The United States takes in about 70,000 refugees from around the world every year. Of those, 3,000 to 4,000 will settle in Arizona, said Joanne Morales with Catholic Charities Community Services Arizona.
She said her office is already resettling a few Syrian families and can now expect to help resettle even more.
“Based on what we’re seeing lately, and based off the president's commitment in responding to the Syrian crisis, I think it’s safe to say we would anticipate an increase in Syrian refugees in the mix of refugees that we would be resettling,” Morales said.
And she said they’re making plans to help those expected to arrive in the next year.
“We have reached out to the Syrian community and we found them to be extremely open and supportive, and willing to welcome and stand along the Syrians as they come in as refugees,” Morales said.
Morales said she will know how many Syrian refugees will be arriving in Arizona in the next couple months.
