August 3, 2016 鈥 The 探花精选 (探花精选) and the apartment search site have released today revealing which U.S. states are most welcoming toward refugees, based on sentiments expressed on Twitter.
Released at the conclusion of both the Republican and Democratic national conventions, these new findings indicate that Americans are more welcoming towards refugees than certain political fear mongering would suggest. Moreover, the research finds that positive sentiment is not confined to any one region in the United States, but rather is expressed throughout the country.
鈥淣ow that we know officially who our two candidates are for president, it is important that both know where Americans stand when it comes to their views on refugees,鈥 said Jennifer Sime, 探花精选鈥檚 Senior Vice President of US Programs. 鈥淎merica has a proud history of protecting, providing refuge for, and welcoming the world鈥檚 most vulnerable, and this new research overwhelmingly reinforces and supports that tradition.鈥
The five states exhibiting the most positive sentiments toward refugees were identified as Washington, Maine, Utah, Kansas and New Hampshire. The states with the least positive sentiments toward refugees were Mississippi, Arkansas, Wyoming, New Mexico and Alaska; however, it is important to note that no state earned a negative score, signaling support for refugees is strong even in those states with lower scores.
About the research, ABODO鈥檚 Sr. Communications Manager Sam Radbil said, 鈥淭he United States has provided relief for millions who have been forced to leave their homes in war-torn countries. We are extremely proud to have conducted, in conjunction with the 探花精选, new research that shows our country is open to welcoming those in need. We believe that people throughout America can and will benefit from accepting refugees into their cities and neighborhoods.鈥
The research analyzed dialogue on Twitter, including hashtags such as #RefugeesWelcome and #OpenBorders, to reveal positive and negative sentiments occurring at the state level.
Click to access the full report.