City of Fort Smith Addresses Misinformation Regarding Immigrants
Recent social media posts suggesting that the City of Fort Smith is flying or busing illegal immigrants into Fort Smith are not correct. The City of Fort Smith is also not incentivizing illegal immigrants to move to our community. The City has thoroughly investigated these claims and wishes to provide clarity and factual information to the public. Please read the information below.
Learn more about the workers hired by Thomas Carnival, Inc. (The Mighty Thomas Carnival), the Department of Labor H-2A Program associated with the Agrico Labor buses seen in Fort Smith, Canopy NWA that places refugees in Arkansas through the Department of State, and the MakeMyMove program that incentivizes remote workers to move to and live in Fort Smith.
Thomas Carnival, Inc. (Associated with the Arkansas-Oklahoma State Fair)
On Saturday, September 17, 2024, 25 employees for Thomas Carnival, Inc. were flown into Fort Smith to work at the Arkansas-Oklahoma State Fair. All 25 workers are either U.S. citizens or have valid H-2B visas. Thomas Carnival, Inc. hires these workers annually through this process and ensures that all participants are legally authorized to work in the United States. Thomas Carnival, Inc. has been organizing and producing the carnival and midway portion of the Arkansas-Oklahoma State Fair since the 1980s.
H-2A Program (Department of Labor) Utilized by Agrico Labor, LLC
The H-2A Temporary Agricultural Workers Program through the United States Department of Labor hires seasonal farm laborers to work at designated Agrico Labor operations across the United States. There is an operation in Van Buren and it is the only Agrico Labor operation in Arkansas. Agricultural workers participating in the H-2A program are vetted, fingerprinted, and undergo multiple interviews in Mexico before being granted work visas by the U.S. Consulate in Mexico. These individuals are provided with social security numbers upon entering the United States. The buses used by Agrico Labor to transport these individuals from Mexico to the U.S. through the program are licensed American motor coaches. When an agricultural labor contract ends, these individuals (migrants) must return to Mexico or they are transferred to other Agrico Labor operations within the United States.
More information:
Canopy NWA Refugee Resettling through the U.S. State Department
A nonprofit organization called Canopy NWA has assisted in resettling four refugee families in Fort Smith. These families have been thoroughly vetted and approved by the U.S. Department of State and are not illegal immigrants. For more information on the difference between illegal immigrants and refugees, please visit this link. The refugee resettlement program is a federal program and is not associated with the City of Fort Smith. The U.S. Department of State decides where refugees are placed in the United States; it is not a state or local decision. Canopy NWA appeared before the City Board of Directors on August 27, 2024. You can watch their presentation at this link (Canopy NWA presentation begins at 02:46:29).
The City of Fort Smith is not becoming and does not want to become a Sanctuary City. It is illegal in the state of Arkansas for any city in Arkansas to be designated a Sanctuary City.
MakeMyMove Program with the City of Fort Smith
The City of Fort Smith has a program that incentivizes remote workers in the United States to move to and live in Fort Smith called MakeMyMove. This program was approved by the City Board of Directors at the March 26, 2024 Regular Meeting. All applicants must pass a background check and submit proof of income and tax documentation to be considered. All MakeMyMove applicants are properly screened and vetted before receiving final approval to move to Fort Smith.
We encourage all residents to seek information from official sources and avoid spreading rumors or misinformation that can harm the reputation of hard-working individuals who are here legally under U.S. law.
The City of Fort Smith is committed to providing high-quality, resident-focused services for the advancement of a thriving community. Our vision is to be a dynamic, business, family, and military-friendly destination that welcomes people from all over the world.
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What is the difference between migrant, immigrant, and refugee?
A migrant is someone who is moving from place to place (within their country or across borders), usually for economic reasons such as seasonal work.
An immigrant is someone who makes a conscious decision to leave his or her home and move to a foreign country with the intention of settling there.
A refugee is someone who has been forced to flee their home because of war, violence, or persecution, often without warning. They are unable to return home unless and until conditions in their native lands are safe for them again.
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