Stone Mountain: Article About Syrian Refugees Misleading

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA — City officials say a national story portraying Stone Mountain as home to one of the nation's largest segments of Syrian refugees is inaccurate.

The story in question said Stone Mountain had accepted and resettled 72 Syrian refugees since Oct. 1, 2015, more than New York City and Los Angeles combined.

"The refugees that have been reported are not represented within the city limits of the City of Stone Mountain," according to a statement from City Manager Chaquias Thornton. "Of the approximately 6,000 person population residing within the city limits there has been no report of the resettlement of refugees. The number reported represents resettlement in those areas outside of the city limits that have Stone Mountain addresses (covering 4 zip codes). Those areas having Stone Mountain addresses accounts for over 117,000 people, with over 111,000 not residing within our town’s city limits.

"There has been no action presented to or taken by City Council in regards to any refugees in our community."

Los Angeles has resettled 45 Syrian refugees, while New York City has resettled nine. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Stone Mountain has a population of 6,109 people and a poverty level of 22.5 percent.

"The number reported may also represent those refugees that arrive as “free” cases (those not linked to a relative that already has a permanent address) that are given the address of the resettlement agency they are sponsored by," Thornton said. "The most local refugee resettlement agency has a Stone Mountain address but is not located within the city limits of Stone Mountain.

"Unfortunately, and more often than we would like, the 1.7 square miles of City of Stone Mountain is equated with the larger area of land that encompasses Stone Mountain addresses when reports like the one referenced here are made and published."

See also: Stone Mountain Home to More Syrian Refugees Than NYC and LA

Image via Shutterstock