Organizations that work to resettle refugees were left reeling after a series of executive orders that freeze not only applications to come to the U.S., but the money that provides a cushion for refugees adjusting to their first months in the country. Those who work to settle refugees say it’s unprecedented and will be devastating to both refugees and the U.S. staffers who serve them.
They’re not even sure they’re allowed to keep up their work.
“We have been officially told you cannot help people that we told you to bring here,” said Seth Kaper-Dale, who runs a nonprofit that also helps resettle refugees and is co-pastor at the Reformed Church of Highland Park in New Jersey. “We’ve signed contracts that say we’re supposed to be providing services, and now we’re being told by this new administration, well, forget that.”