FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 27, 2025
Contact: Timothy Young | timothy.young@globalrefuge.org
Baltimore, M.D. — Global Refuge today expressed deep concern over the U.S. Department of State’s sudden decision to terminate its grant agreements for the reception and placement of refugees arriving through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP).
Refugees admitted through this longstanding legal pathway arrive only after an extensive years-long vetting process by multiple U.S. and international security agencies, and with transitional support from resettlement agencies, they quickly become contributing members to our local communities as workers, business owners, faith leaders, and public servants.
“Global Refuge has worked alongside faith-based and community partners for decades to help refugee families find housing, secure employment, enroll their children in school, and become self-sufficient contributors to American communities,” said Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, President and CEO of Global Refuge. “This termination of federal support and the continued failure to reimburse for services already provided represents the essential destruction of a program that has saved more than 3.6 million lives since its creation in 1980. This decision will undoubtedly disrupt critical services for vulnerable families and trigger widespread layoffs among social service professionals, forcing local communities to address entirely avoidable evictions, food insecurity, and devastating job losses.”
The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, which the new administration moved to suspend on its first day in office, is one of the most successful humanitarian efforts in American history, providing safety to individuals facing persecution while strengthening local communities and workforces. The program has long been a bipartisan effort, reflecting America’s global humanitarian leadership and its core values of compassion, resilience, and opportunity.
“Ending these agreements upends a proud bipartisan American tradition that has worked for decades — one built on partnership between government, local communities, and faith-based organizations like ours to ensure refugee families have the support they need to succeed,” continued Vignarajah. “This abrupt termination is not a simple review of federal resources; it seeks to end America’s longstanding religious tradition of helping the least among us.”
Despite this setback, Global Refuge remains steadfast in its mission to serve refugee and immigrant families. We are actively exploring ways to continue providing support in partnership with local organizations, faith communities, businesses, and volunteers.
“The work of welcome does not belong to one organization or one government agency—it belongs to all of us,” added Vignarajah. “We will not abandon those in need. We call on our supporters, faith leaders, and community partners to stand with us and ensure that refugees continue to find safety and belonging in this country.”
Global Refuge urges all who believe in the power of welcome to support refugee resettlement through local initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct assistance to impacted families.
For more information on how to support refugees in your community, visit www.globalrefuge.org/act-now
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