Chobani's Refugee Employment Programs Face Recurring Disinformation Campaigns

A recent tweet by "Oilfield Rando" falsely claimed that purchasing Chobani yogurt contributes to a "Turkish billionaire" "flooding Idaho with Eritreans and Somalians." This assertion echoes a long-standing pattern of misinformation targeting the company and its founder, Hamdi Ulukaya, regarding their employment practices and support for refugees. Chobani has consistently affirmed its commitment to hiring refugees, viewing it as both a social responsibility and a beneficial business strategy.

Chobani, founded by Turkish immigrant Hamdi Ulukaya, has a well-documented history of employing refugees at its manufacturing facilities, including its large plant in Twin Falls, Idaho. Ulukaya has publicly stated that refugees constitute approximately 30% of Chobani's workforce, emphasizing their dedication and loyalty as employees. He often notes, "The minute a refugee gets a job is the minute they stop being a refugee."

Beyond Chobani, Ulukaya established the Tent Partnership for Refugees in 2016, a non-profit organization dedicated to mobilizing the private sector to integrate refugees into the global workforce. This initiative has grown significantly, with over 500 major companies committing to hiring and supporting refugees worldwide. The partnership aims to leverage business resources to address the global refugee crisis by providing economic opportunities.

Twin Falls, Idaho, has served as a refugee resettlement site since the 1980s, welcoming individuals from various countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan, Burma, Iraq, and Syria. Local agencies like the College of Southern Idaho Refugee Center assist with the resettlement process, providing housing, cultural orientation, and employment preparation. The number of refugees resettled fluctuates based on federal policies and international events.

The specific claims made in the tweet align with past disinformation campaigns that have targeted Chobani and Ulukaya. Notably, far-right media outlets, including Infowars and Breitbart News, previously spread false narratives linking Chobani's refugee hires to increased crime, including a sexual assault case in Twin Falls, and a rise in tuberculosis cases. These claims were debunked, and Infowars founder Alex Jones was compelled to retract his statements after Chobani filed a defamation lawsuit.