Dear Friends,
I’m reaching out to share an important update that directly impacts the New American community. On January 20th, the new presidential administration issued an executive order that paused the official refugee resettlement program for at least three months, with limited case-by-case exceptions. After this 90-day period, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security will submit recommendations to the President on whether to resume the refugee admissions program (you can read the executive order here).
This pause affects real people. Among them are nearly 1,700 Afghans separated from their families since the departure of American forces in 2021.These individuals face life-threatening danger from the Taliban due to their past associations with American forces and have been patiently navigating the long, complex legal process to resettle in America.
At Friends of Refugees, we personally know members of the Afghan community whose family members were recently approved to come to America—only to face another painful delay.
Please pause for a moment and imagine being separated for years from someone you love, waiting for the day you can reunite. And now, on the eve of that reunion, the door closes once again. As Proverbs 13:12A says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.” Right now, many New Americans are feeling the reality of this truth— heartache, confusion, and anguish.
How Friends of Refugees is Responding
- We remain steadfast in our day-to-day work, so that New Americans can flourish as our neighbors and friends. As a faith-based organization, we are committed to embody God’s call to welcome the refugee, no matter their religion, nationality, gender, or ethnicity. Right now, our staff are exploring ways to meaningfully support our New American friends who have family members affected by this pause.
- We are monitoring ripple effects on fellow refugee-serving agencies that rely on federal funds. A pause in a federally funded program means reduced funding for the national resettlement agencies, which leads to fewer staff and diminished support provided to the refugees who are already in America. While we are not a refugee resettlement agency ourselves, we rely on these fellow agencies to provide support services for New Americans. When the agencies are unable to provide these services, refugees in Atlanta often look to Friends to step in.
- We are expanding our fundraising efforts to meet the anticipated increase in demand for our services. As a 100% privately funded organization, we are not reliant on federal funding and our services will continue without disruption. However, we expect a significant increase in demand for our services from refugees who are already here and are unable to access support traditionally provided by resettlement agencies.
How You Can Help
Friends, your compassion and commitment to our work has never been more critical. Here are three ways you can make a difference today:
- Pray: Please pray for mercy, strength and endurance for those impacted by this painful pause and for the global refugee crisis as a whole. As Henri Nouwen so beautifully reminds us, “Suffering invites us to place our hurts into larger hands.” We hold regular prayer gatherings. Respond and let us know if you are interested in joining us at a future gathering.
- Give: Your generosity helps ensure Friends is well positioned to meet anticipated increased needs of New Americans already in Atlanta. Consider making a special gift to Friends of Refugees or to a national refugee resettlement agency who has an Atlanta office (Inspiritus, Catholic Charities, IRC and New American Pathways are all ones we recommend).
- Show up: Attend our next volunteer training or reach out to learn more about how you, your faith community, or your company can provide tangible support to the New American community.
Friends, thank you in advance for standing with us to show support and compassion to our New American neighbors and friends during this uncertain time.
In Hope,
Kendra Jeffreys
Executive Director