The Latest: North Dakota would study refugee resettlement

BISMARCK, N.D. – The Latest on a proposal to study the impacts of refugee resettlement in North Dakota (all times local):

4:10 p.m.

A North Dakota legislative panel has endorsed a proposal to study the impacts of refugee resettlement in the state.

The committee’s action came late Friday after some Republican lawmakers pushed a measure that would let communities and the governor temporarily ban refugee resettlement while data is being collected.

Critics believe the measure was discriminatory and probably unconstitutional. The House Government and Veterans Affairs Committee decided to study the issue instead.

West Fargo Rep. Christopher Olson says the purpose of his bill was to allow local and state governments to “have a say” in refugee resettlement process.

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2 p.m.

Some North Dakota Republican lawmakers are pushing a measure that would let communities and the governor temporarily ban refugee resettlement while data is being collected.

Critics believe the measure is discriminatory and probably unconstitutional.

A hearing was held on the measure Friday.

West Fargo Rep. Christopher Olson says the purpose of the bill is to allow local and state governments to “have a say” in refugee resettlement process.

He says some schools and social service programs are being stressed because the federal government is not providing sufficient funding for the state’s refugee resettlement program, which is administered by Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota.

Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota CEO Jessica Thomasson says the measure unfairly singles out refugees.