ARTICLES

Refugee office responds to tensions in Roanoke

By Jean Denton
Special to The Catholic Virginian

The diocesan Refugee and Immigration Services office in Roanoke is trying to relocate several immigrant families and diffuse a crisis situation after tensions between American-born blacks and African refugees reached a boiling point at a blighted apartment complex last week.

According to a story in the Roanoke Times, one resident said it was “a war zone” at the Maple Grove Apartments in northwest Roanoke.

Although refugees and American families have been living in harmony at Maple Grove for years, troubles began mounting at the 40-unit complex several months ago when more American families moved in, the story said.

Records showed police had been called to the apartment complex 17 times in March. Recently graffiti appeared at the apartments including “Americans only” and “Africans not welcome.”

The Richmond Diocese’s Refugee and Immigration Service has been placing refugee families at the apartments for many years, largely because of the low rents. In fact, agency director Beth Lutjen told the Roanoke newspaper that since 2003 the complex has been a favorite location for Somali and other African refugee families.

“They have become a community here,” she said.

A month ago Ms. Lutjen already had begun searching for other apartments to relocate some of the African families. But last week accusations from both sides of rock throwing and fighting escalated to what she called “a crisis point.”

“We are afraid. This isn’t what we came to this country for,” one Somali Bantu refugee was quoted as saying.

Fearing more violence, Ms. Lutjen met with the Roanoke police community resource officer to discuss ways to mitigate the growing conflict among residents. She also asked the U.S. Justice Department Community Relations Service for assistance in trying to foster some understanding between the two groups.

Catholic Relief Services officials have agreed to come to Roanoke to discuss with RIS and local community leadership how they can best help.

“Things are happening and various agencies are getting involved,” said Marilyn Breslow, director of the diocese’s Refugee and Immigration Services.

“The local police and our office are in discussions about how to improve racial tolerance and hopefully something good will come from this.

“Roanoke has been a wonderful community in accepting immigrants,” Ms. Breslow added. “We have had very generous volunteers, apartment owners and employers there, and we hope to continue to address any underlying problems in communications.

“We always need to work on educating the entire community about refugees and immigrants and maybe help change some misperceptions that arise.”

Adding to the tensions at Maple Grove, apartment residents suggested, were poor conditions and needed repairs being neglected by the landlord while, at the same time, rents were raised.

City inspectors had cited the apartments for numerous code violations and condemned one unit in March. After the Roanoke Times story called attention to the situation last week, inspectors returned to Maple Grove and found additional violations, previously cited violations still unrepaired and condemned four more apartments.

The Roanoke Times reported in its April 30 edition that about half of the Somali-Bantu refugees living at Maple Grove have been accepted as rent-subsidized residents of an apartment complex owned by the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority.

back to top