Warren Prepared, Willing To Accept Ukrainian Refugees: Mayor Says

WARREN, MI — With President Biden expected to announce Thursday that the U.S. will accept up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees, the City of Warren announced it is prepared and willing to accept some refugees fleeing the war torn country.

"I understand that we must be careful here in America, but I also believe we have an opportunity to welcome refugees, particularly those with families in our nation," Warren Mayor James Fouts told President Biden in a letter. "I have already spoken with many families here in Warren, as well as other cities, who are more than prepared to open their homes and to welcome those fleeing the war."

As one of the largest Ukrainian-American communities in the country, several political and faith leaders have gathered rallies in the city, expressing solidarity with the Ukrainian people caught in the middle of the Eastern European conflict.

"It's a difficult time for everybody," Chair of the Ukrainian-American Crisis Response Committee of Michigan Mykola Murskyj told the Detroit Free Press. "Especially for those who have family and friends that are in the regions affected, which is unfortunately all of Ukraine."

Biden met with several European leaders in Brussels Friday to discuss steps in providing humanitarian assistance for those affected by Russia’s war with Ukraine. Although federal officials expect many of the Ukrainian refugees to stay in Europe, staying closer to their homeland in the hopes of returning, U.S. officials expect to accept up to 100,000 refugees.