Columbus establishes new commission

The Columbus City Council is establishing a Commission on Immigrants and Refugee Affairs, to begin work in 2025. The Commission has been in the making for months, but gained renewed support after some politicians made baseless attacks against Haitian-Ohioans. According to Spectrum News 1:

The committee will comprise of 15 members, one of them being 25 years old or younger, and every member will be appointed by city council. Columbus City Council member Lourdes Barroso de Padilla has been a champion for immigrants and refugees in the community. As a daughter of immigrants herself, she believes it’s important to have representation for these communities during policy-making decisions. 

“We knew that as we continue to grow, that we wanted to be proximate to these emerging communities and ensure that they had a voice at the table and ensure that we understood what some of the challenges and opportunities are in these communities,” said Barroso de Padilla. 

Balazire now spends his time as a volunteer with community refugee and immigration services helping others coming to central Ohio because he knows what it feels like to come here and need support. 

“Since I got in Columbus, I just find that Congolese and other refugee was not well represented. And then that's how I start helping. Volunteering. Just to be in support. Like to help as much as I can,” said Balazire.