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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

The Debate over Granite State Refugees

From Burundi to Burma, from Afghanistan to Uzbekistan, refugees from around the globe have been placed in New Hampshire to start their lives anew.  Here they find new freedoms and far less dangers but new challenges as well.  Many have to learn English, the American laws, become educated and find work.  Federal programs help a lot but so do the cities and towns in which they are placed.  Now Manchester wants to put a moratorium on any new refugees resettling here.  City officials worry that they currently don't have enough resources to assist its current residents and with tight budgets getting tighter, the problem could become worse.  Today we'll look at New Hampshire's current refugee populations, what's being done to get them settled, the challenges they face and look at both sides of this Manchester moratorium debate.

NOTE: This program is the first in a year-long editorial project called “New Hampshire’s Immigration Story”.  Throughout the coming year, The Exchange and NHPR’s editorial team, will present coverage highlighting the unique and often untold stories of New Hampshire’s immigrant and refugee communities, from past to present with an eye toward the future.   

Guests

  • William J. Gillett, chairman of the board of theInternational Institute of New England.
  • Pat Long, Alderman from the city of Manchester.
  • Suraj Budathoki, Bhutanese refugee and resident of Manchester.  

We'll also here from

  • Larry Bartlett, Director of the Office of Admissions; Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration at the U.S. Department of State.
  • Amy Marchildon, Director of Services for New Americans at Lutheran Social Services of New Hampshire.
Laura is well known in New Hampshire for her in-depth coverage of important issues and is widely regarded for her interviews with presidential hopefuls. Laura is a graduate of Keene High School in New Hampshire. Prior to hosting The Exchange, Laura worked in public radio in Washington, D.C. as a local reporter and announcer for WAMU and as a newscaster for NPR. Before her radio career, she was a researcher for USA Today's "Money" section, and a research assistant at the Institute for International Economics. Laura occasionally guest hosts national programs such as The Diane Rehm Show and Here and Now. In 2007 Laura was named New Hampshire Broadcaster of the Year by the New Hampshire Association of Broadcasters.
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