Boise’s Refugee Resettlement Program Seen as a Success

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The success of Boise's refugee resettlement program has attracted international attention. German professionals, public officials and volunteers kicked off a two-day visit of Boise to learn about how the city welcomes and integrates refugees.

Germany is among the many European countries that has seen dramatic increases in refugees due to a growing international migration crisis. In 2015, Germany saw around a million refugees cross into their country.

Meanwhile, in Idaho, opposition to refugee resettlement has grown over the past year as part of the national debate over the vetting of refugees fleeing war-torn Syria and particularly following deadly terrorist attacks in San Bernardino, California, and Paris.

The two-day tour is part of a recently launched exchange program that helps educate officials in various countries strategize best practices for refugee resettlement.