World Relief Halts Refugee Aid After New U.S. Policy
World Relief has been ordered to stop its government-funded activities. This decision comes after President Donald Trump signed a new order that suspends the U.S. Refugee Admission Program. This program has helped many refugees come to the United States since it started in 1980.
World Relief is part of the National Association of Evangelicals. This group has been authorized by the State Department to help resettle refugees in the U.S. Recently, they received an email telling them to stop their work that supports around 4,000 refugees. This message arrived shortly after President Trump’s executive order, which said that the U.S. is facing record levels of migration.
In a statement, Myal Greene, the president of World Relief, expressed deep concern. He said that stopping their activities will hurt many vulnerable people. These people have already faced severe problems in their home countries, such as war, hunger, and health issues. Greene pointed out that many of these refugees have been legally resettled in the United States.
The order from President Trump states that the U.S. cannot take in large numbers of migrants, especially refugees, without affecting resources for American citizens. The order also mentions that the U.S. needs to ensure that refugees can adapt to life in America properly.
The refugee program was paused until it can align better with the interests of the country. In recent years, the Biden-Harris administration has increased the number of refugees allowed into the U.S. In fiscal year 2024, more than 100,000 refugees were resettled, the highest number in 30 years.
World Relief has been helping refugees since 1979, working alongside the State Department and local church partners. During the Obama administration from 2009 to 2017, they helped resettle over 62,000 refugees. However, during Trump’s first term, that number dropped significantly to just over 13,000.
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Matthew Soerens, the Vice President of Advocacy and Policy at World Relief, highlighted the changes in refugee resettlement numbers. Under the Biden administration, they resettled around 29,000 refugees in four years. This is a stark contrast to the previous term.
The article states that Christians have made up the majority of refugees resettled during both the Trump and Biden administrations. Under Trump, about 25,000 to 60,000 refugees were resettled in the last two fiscal years.
Funding for refugee processing and resettlement has also seen a rise. The estimated funding for fiscal year 2024 reached $2.8 billion, with projections to increase to $5.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. This is a significant increase compared to previous years.
Some conservative groups have criticised the Biden administration’s expansion of the refugee program. They argue that changes, such as the Welcome Corps program, have made it easier for non-refugees to be resettled in the U.S. This program allows individuals who have friends or family in America to be sponsored for resettlement.
The decision to halt World Relief’s activities marks a significant change in U.S. refugee policy. It raises concerns about the future of many refugees who rely on these programs for safety and support. As the situation develops, the implications for both refugees and the organisations that help them remain uncertain.
Content Credit| Kemi Arowolo
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