WLNE: Rhode Island celebrates one-year anniversary of refugee program

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Congressman Gabe Amo welcomed Under Secretary of State Elizabeth Allen to Rhode Island on Wednesday to showcase one of the ways Providence is helping integrate foreign refugees.

To celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Welcome Corps program, the two officials visited Beautiful Day, a gourmet granola company with a mission to help refugees enter the job market.

“I’m so glad to have the State Department see this firsthand,” Amo said. “A great example of what we do best — welcome new Americans.”

The visit was part of a multi-event trip for Allen, who is working to improve opportunities for refugees at a federal level.

“Today, we saw firsthand just how refugees come to the United States and make meaningful contributions to the social and economy fabric of our communities,” Allen said. “It’s a priority for us in Washington to ensure that welcoming refugees continues.”

It was an especially meaningful opportunity for Amo, who is the son of immigrant parents.

“My dad was born in Ghana, and my mom was born in Liberia,” Amo explained. “They came here for a better life…now I get to represent Rhode Islanders in Congress.”

Allen also planned to tour Naval War College in Newport to demonstrate commitment to community engagement and refugee support.

“It’s in the American DNA to take care of people and to give them an opportunity,” Allen said. “And they, in turn, make us a better country.”