Brahmaputra Refugee Bill

Brahmaputran Refugee bill authorized additional immigration of Brahmaputran refugees, devoted funds to drastically speed up the immigration process, and outlined a plan to evenly distribute refugees in Desereti cities.

Need

On XXX DE the asteroid known as the Hand of Shiva  struck the planet of Brahmaputra Prime. The impact created a shock-wave that leveled ecosystems planet-wide and destroyed much of the infrastructure necessary for the survival of the colony. Colony leadership enacted draconian measures to survive, but the future of the colony seemed grim.

In XXX DE, roughly a year after Shiva's Comet the DDS Albatross arrived in system, on a diplomatic mission from Deseret. Captain of the Albatross, Roberta Phillips and head of the diplomatic corps Ernest Bennington, donated the remainder of their trade goods to the Brahmaputrans and settled in to talks with Brahmaputran leadership.

The DDS Albatross agreed to cut short its mission, returning to Deseret with a delegation from Brahmaputra. In talks with President Gideon Caldwell and his cabinet, a rough agreement was established to move as many refugees as possible to Deseret, pending authorization from Congress.

Bill

On March 3rd XXX DE, the Brahmaputra Refugee Bill was submitted to Congress by Ena Tapihana. Although the Desereti Constitution held provisions for immigration, there were concerns that the original process would be too slow to respond to the crisis on Brahmaputra. The Brahmaputra Refugee Bill authorized and allocated funds for moving as many refugees to Deseret, holding them in temporary holding camps while housing organized for them. The bill also allocated funds for food, clothing, and other essential supplies to be sent to Brahmaputra for those who would remain.

Opposition

These people aren't coming here because they want to live here. They don't know anything about us or how we live. They don't know our values or the world our ancestors came here to make. They would be coming because they are in danger, and I sympathize with that. But immediately mixing two cultures that didn't even know of each other's existence just a few months ago is irresponsible, and most importantly, dangerous.

— Huatare Richardson, junior Senator from Ocean Forest

The Brahmaputra Refugee Bill took many citizens of Deseret completely by surprise. While horror over what the Brahmaputrans had experienced was widespread, some felt that the Federal Government did not seriously explore options that did not include immigration. Some, most notably members of the fundamentalist Wheat of the Lord movement were concerned over the public character and faithfulness of the nation. These tensions came to a boiling point with the Marble Riots, over concerns that the Federal Government would allow non Christians to purchase Desereti Ocean Marble , considered by many to be a sacred material. These riots would ultimately die down after statements published by the Federal Government and the LDS church, but the tensions remained.

Resolution

Despite protests and heated rhetoric, the Brahmaputra Refugee Bill passed on April 5th XXX DE. By July the few FTL capable ships Deseret possessed would begin delivering the first waves of Brahmaputran refugees. By the time the situation on Brahmaputra was under control a total of 100,000 refugees had arrived on Deseret. Over the following years many returned, but almost half chose to remain on Deseret and become citizens. There presence has caused a lasting impact on Deseret, ranging from food to politics.