Oklahoma’s communities—from across the aisle—recently met crisis with courage and defended their newcomer neighbors against political attacks. Here’s how to harness that courage for a refugee floor.
Meeting Crisis with Courage
This past June, Oklahoma’s Attorney General Gentner Drummond (R) launched a calculated attack on the state’s Afghan newcomers, demanding their removal from Oklahoma and claiming that they posed a “great risk to public safety.”
Drummond’s attack was largely understood to be an attempt at bolstering his Gubernatorial campaign. By targeting Oklahoma’s Afghan communities and riding a wave of increasing anti-immigrant rhetoric, Drummond believed that he could generate political support. The opposite occurred.
Supporters Emerged from Across the Aisle
Within days of Drummond’s attack, a remarkable coalition emerged: Veterans who had served with Afghan translators, like Retired Maj. Kerri Keck or Navy veteran John Potts, defended parolees publicly. Faith leaders like the National Association of Evangelicals mobilized congregations across denominational lines.
Even Republican Governor Kevin Stitt broke ranks with his own Attorney General, declaring it “unconscionable” to abandon Afghan allies.
This wasn’t typical party-line pushback—this was Oklahoma defining its values under pressure.
Oklahoma has the opportunity to do so again—and build a refugee program that every Afghan refugee, every Oklahoman, and every American can rely on.
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