West Michigan refugees left in limbo during federal funding freeze, volunteers stepping in
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KALAMAZOO,Mich.—Michiganisoneofthetoptenrefugeeresettlementstatesinthecountry.
Accordingtostatedata,Michigantookincloseto3,500refugeesinfiscalyear2024.
ButonInaugurationDay,oneofPresidentDonaldTrump’sfirstexecutiveorderswasto“RealigntheUnitedStatesRefugeeAdmissionsProgram,”effectivelyfreezingallfederalfundingforagencieswhousethatmoneytohelprefugeesintegrateintotheirnewcommunities.
NewsChannel3talkedtosomeofthesefamilieswhofledpersecutionandviolenceandresettledinKalamazoojustmonthsago.
ChurchWorldServiceinKalamazooiscurrentlyhelping17familiesanddozensofindividualsfindhousing,foodbenefits,employment,andeducation.
Butduetothepauseinfederalfunding,amajorityofitsstaffwasfurloughedsothatmoneycouldbeusedtopayrentforsomeoftheserefugeefamilies.
Theseagenciesarenowsolelyrelyingoncommunityvolunteersanddonationstosupportthem,astheylearnEnglishandlookforwork.
ThreeofthefamiliesinvitedNewsChannel
