President Trump suspended the country’s Refugee Admissions Program on his first day in office — blocking new refugees from coming to the U.S.
He then froze federal funding for refugee resettlement agencies, forcing them to lay off staff or shut down all together.
Despite legal challenges to the funding freeze, the State Department has terminated all contracts with those agencies, according to NPR.
KPBS Midday Edition unpacks what the recent federal policy changes mean for refugees and providers in San Diego.
Guests:
- Ramla Sahid, executive director of the Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans
- Walter Lam, president and CEO of the Alliance for African Assistance
- Shawn VanDiver, president and founder of AfghanEvac
Resources:
- International Rescue Committee - San Diego
- Jewish Family Service
- Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego
- Majdal: Arab Community Center of San Diego
- Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans
- Alliance for African Assistance
- AfghanEvac
Activity