Fundraising Halted for US Resettlement Agencies: A New Blow to Refugees
In a dramatic escalation, the US government has issued a memo effectively halting funding and essential services to refugee resettlement agencies.This comes on the heels of President Trump’s executive order suspending refugee admissions, which already caused chaos and heartbreak for thousands awaiting their chance at a new life in the United States.
The memo, obtained by multiple sources, states in stark terms, “Effective instantly upon receipt of this Notice of Suspension the Recipient must stop all work under the award(s) and not incur any new costs after the effective date cited above. The recipient must cancel as many outstanding obligations as possible.”
this unprecedented move throws a lifeline into question for thousands of refugees, including Afghans who bravely aided the US during the war and are now facing a precarious future.
While Trump’s executive order shuttered the doors to the already-crowded pipeline of refugees seeking entry, the new memo deals a devastating blow to those already within the United States. Resettlement agencies, crucial in helping refugees navigate the maze of a new country, are now facing crippling financial constraints and are left scrambling to provide basic necessities such as housing and caseworker support.
A recent memo threatens to disrupt the critical support system for thousands of refugees arriving in the United States. The memo, which aims to realign federal priorities, could severely impact the ability of resettlement agencies to provide essential services to new arrivals, perhaps triggering a humanitarian crisis.
These agencies play a vital role in the lives of refugees, guiding them through the initial months in their new country, helping them navigate the complexities of a new culture, acclimate to their surroundings, and secure basic necessities like housing and employment. Support can range from logistical assistance like explaining local transportation systems to providing more significant aid like housing placement.
The first three months are notably crucial, as refugees are eligible for a range of federally funded services during this period. Shawn VanDiver, president of #AfghanEvac and a Navy veteran, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We understand the need to reevaluate and realign priorities, but Afghan programs must be exempted to prevent a humanitarian crisis. This is a fixable issue, and we stand ready to work with the administration to get it right.”
Without access to these vital resources,the fate of thousands of refugees hangs in the balance. An informed source raised concerns about the memo’s impact, expressing, “you got here a week ago, under the wire, you no your case manager for three days. And now you’re not allowed to call them to get support from them,” they lamented. “all of that is on hold. If you’re a recent arrival, you’re what, just on your own now?”
The situation is particularly alarming given that over 30,000 refugees have already arrived in the United States as October 1st, the start of the fiscal year, making them potentially vulnerable to the memo’s consequences.
