Trump executive orders leaves over 100 refugees in Fresno without aid. How you can help
A Central Valley nonprofit that helps refugees settle in Fresno is calling for community support after a federal work-stop order has disrupted their operations.
Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries, or FIRM, received a letter last week from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration ordering the organization to halt all work as the agency reevaluates programs.
The pause was prompted by President Donald Trump’s executive order calling for a 90-day pause in United States foreign development assistance for “assessment of program efficiencies.”
Organizations who received the letter were also ordered to cease use of government funds on any work related to diversity, equity and inclusion.
“It’s really unprecedented,” Christine Barker, the organization’s executive director, said in an interview. “And it’s a really sort of blunt force tool that seems to imagine human lives are just beams of steel on a worksite.”
The notice of suspension said that funding recipients must stop all work under the award and not incur any new costs after the effective date.
In a separate executive order, Trump paused the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, saying the country “lacks the ability to absorb large numbers of migrants, and in particular, refugees, into its communities in a manner that does not compromise the availability of resources for Americans.”
With narrow exceptions, admission of refugees into the country came to a halt Monday.
FIRM identified 130 refugees who would have been eligible for continued support from the organization, which helps refugees settle during their first 90 days.
The nonprofit was preparing to receive eight more refugees from countries such as Afghanistan and Armenia, but FIRM was alerted Jan. 20 that their flights had been canceled.
The federal funds to provide core services — such as paying for the first month’s rent, furniture, English classes, public transportation and groceries — help refugees adjust to daily life activities.
The organization works with refugees from places like Afghanistan, Congo, Armenia, Ukraine, Iran, former Soviet states and Central America.
While the use of federal funding may be on pause, Barker said her organization won’t stop helping those in need of assistance and calls on community support for help.
Refugee resettlement work impacted nationwide
FIRM is one of several refugee resettlement agencies across the country affected by the work-stop order.
Several flights were canceled en route to Sacramento, which receives an estimated one-third of all refugees settling in California, The Sacramento Bee reported.
Meanwhile, The Modesto Bee reported about 20 local refugee families have been left without a place to stay as a result of the stop work-order.
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, a refugee is someone that has experienced past persecution or has a well-founded fear of persecution based on their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.
Those seeking admission into the United States as a refugee must first register with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. UNHCR then determines if an individual qualifies as a refugee, according to the Department of State website
Refugees are processed through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program under the Department of State in cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Those admitted as refugees are eligible for U.S. government-funded resettlement assistance.
Organizations like FIRM are allocated federal funding to help refugees get established in their new communities.
For now, Barker is calling on Fresno area residents to help ensure refugees start to life in the U.S. is not “permanently, negatively impacted because of the short-sighted decision.”
How to help Fresno area refugees
FIRM is looking for both financial and in-kind support in the interim.
“We need support from the community,” Barker said, whether that be helping someone shop for groceries or helping them enroll children in school.
Volunteers can register online on FIRM’s website at https://firminc.org/volunteer/.
FIRM is also accepting online cash donations to support staff as well as items like dry goods, fresh produce, grocery store gift cards, cleaning supplies, Lysol wipes, feminine hygiene, all purpose cleaners.
Questions can be directed refugee success program manager at Linda@firminc.org.
This story was originally published January 31, 2025 at 2:45 PM.
