Many religious groups that work with the federal government to resettle refugees are being forced to lay off workers. Donald Trump froze funding for these groups in a series of executive orders. The president and his allies have criticized these charities for facilitating illegal immigration and money laundering. However, these groups maintain that their activities are legitimate and an extension of their faith.
Matthew Sorens, Vice President of World Relief, says funding for his evangelical charity has been completely cut off. The NGO resettles immigrants across the US. “We’re having to make very difficult decisions because we are going to prioritize rent checks over staffing,” Sorens explained. Sorens also says the charity is having trouble supporting the roughly 4,000 immigrants it has resettled over the past three months.
Mary Elizabeth Margolis, a spokeswoman for World Relief, stated, “We’ve been unable to access federal reimbursements for critical program costs, and that includes costs that were incurred prior to the issuance of the executive order.” She added, “We still have outstanding reimbursements for services rendered under contract with the federal government that are not being paid back to us.”
“They are the people who have pending asylum cases that may lose access to their lawyers,” she said of the communities her charity helps. “They are families who need emergency rental support, who may end up homeless. They are kids who come to our offices to get coats and hats because it’s cold outside.” In response, many immigration charity workers have staged protests against Trump’s executive order.
Watch World Relief Scramble After Trump Slashed Their Budget:
Mark Hetfield, head of the Hebrew International Aid Society, echoed his concerns. He said, “For resettled refugees, the government must live up to that obligation, as must we.” He explained that his organization has been forced to lay off employees as well. Director of Episcopal Migration Ministries, Sarah Shipman, told reporters, “The end of federal funding for Episcopal Migration Ministries does not mean an end for EMM…we remain steadfast in our commitment to stand with migrants and to our congregations who serve them.”
“This freeze will be detrimental to millions of our sisters and brothers who need access to lifesaving humanitarian, health, and development assistance,” Catholic Relief Services wrote in relation to another change in funding. CRS is one of the largest recipients of federal funds.“U.S. foreign aid is not a handout. It has real impact on human life and dignity and advances U.S. national interests.”