Billings welcomes first refugees from Venezuela and Syria [Video]

An eclectic group of volunteers and humanitarian leaders have come together to welcome the first refugees to arrive in Billings since a resettlement office opened earlier this year.

They met a Syrian family with open arms this past week as they landed in their new hometown. The refugees join a Venezuelan family who arrived in Billings a week earlier.

“They’re delightful,“ said LaChelle Amos, director for the Billings resettlement office. “It was a super heartwarming moment for me. Every single one of the family members gave me the biggest hug. They’re all so excited to be here.”

Big Sky Country hospitality

The Billings office, which is part of Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains, is now running downtown with three dedicated employees and dozens of volunteers. They expect to help about 100 refugees and 15 special immigrant visa holders from Iraq, …