Trump Funding Freeze Sends NJ Refugee Aid Groups Reeling

UPDATE: The White House has rescinded the federal freeze order, multiple reports said Wednesday afternoon. Read our update to this article here.

NEW JERSEY — Thousands of people fleeing violence and persecution across the globe, including children, will be left homeless. According to advocates, that’s the stunning reality that will happen now that the Trump Administration has decided to suspend a long-running U.S. refugee aid program and freeze funding for nonprofits serving asylum seekers – including several in New Jersey.

When he took office for his second term last week, President Donald Trump released a sweeping series of executive orders on immigration. As part of these orders, he indefinitely suspended the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, stranding tens of thousands of people who had already gotten clearance to relocate to the country.

The decision has been causing chaos for refugee aid groups, as well.

“We’ll have refugees going homeless,” a refugee advocate told CNN. “It’s completely unprecedented. Nothing like this has ever happened.”

Trump’s reason for the suspension? According to his presidential order:

“Over the last four years, the United States has been inundated with record levels of migration, including through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). Cities and small towns alike, from Charleroi, Pennsylvania, and Springfield, Ohio, to Whitewater, Wisconsin, have seen significant influxes of migrants. Even major urban centers such as New York City, Chicago, and Denver have sought federal aid to manage the burden of new arrivals. Some jurisdictions, like New York and Massachusetts, have even recently declared states of emergency because of increased migration. The United States 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, that protects their safety and security, and that ensures the appropriate assimilation of refugees.”

In the wake of the order – and an immediate cease and desist notice from the U.S. Department of State – nonprofits and resettlement programs across the nation are reporting that their federal funding has suddenly dried up. The result? Mass staff layoffs and slashed work hours.

They include Interfaith-RISE, a program of the Reformed Church of Highland Park Affordable Housing corporation. “This is disastrous for us,” its founder told NJ Advance Media.

Other New Jersey refugee aid providers that have been impacted by the cuts include Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of Newark and the Diocese of Camden, Jewish Vocational Service of Metrowest and Greater Bergen Community Action, NJ Advance Media reported.

Church World Service, a national organization that has a location in Jersey City, has been blasting Trump’s executive actions and demanding a restoration of funding.

“The sweeping executive actions put refugees, immigrants and other vulnerable families – including many with young children – at risk,” president and CEO Rick Santos said.

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Refugee resettlement agencies aren’t the only social service providers feeling their anxiety levels skyrocket this week.

The White House has announced plans to put a blanket pause on federal grants and loans by 5 p.m. on Tuesday. Officials said the decision is needed to ensure that funding complies with Trump’s recent executive orders, including declarations involving transgender rights, environmental justice, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

Federal aid to individuals – such as Social Security, Medicare and food stamps – will not be affected, officials said.

A coalition of state attorneys general plan to file a lawsuit to block the federal grant freeze, including New Jersey.

• See Related: Federal Funding Freeze Causes Uncertainty In Communities Nationwide

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