For over four decades, Atlanta has served as a vital hub for refugee resettlement, providing essential services to those fleeing persecution across the globe. These efforts have been largely sustained by federal grants administered through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.
However, a significant disruption occurred when President Donald Trump issued a Jan. 20 executive order suspending U.S. refugee admissions. This abrupt halt has left the five federally funded resettlement agencies in metro Atlanta—Bethany Christian Services, Catholic Charities, Inspiritus, the International Rescue Committee, and New American Pathways—scrambling to adjust to a harsh new reality.
Georgia had previously been allocated almost $12 million in federal funding for its Coalition of Refugee Services Agencies, facilitating the resettlement of refugees from diverse countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Venezuela. In federal fiscal year 2024, approximately 3,327 refugees were welcomed in Georgia, contributing to a national total of 100,034.
Before Trump’s executive order, the U.S. refugee admission numbers were on track to mirror these figures for fiscal year 2025. Additionally, over 1,079 refugees arrived in Georgia between October 1 and December 31 last year, as part of a national total of 27,308. The halt to refugee admissions has thrown these agencies into financial uncertainty and exacerbated the plight of many refugees, who were already facing extraordinarily long wait times for their resettlement processes.
Whitney Kweskin of New American Pathways described the psychological toll of these delays, noting that wait times can stretch anywhere from two years to 22 years, depending on the individual’s country of origin. This prolonged uncertainty often has devastating effects on families. “I’ve seen marriages dissolve because of the pressure of years of long-term separation. The stress is insurmountable for people who are in this situation,” she stated.
Kweskin emphasized the resilience of the refugees, highlighting their remarkable ability to overcome unimaginable challenges. She lamented that the current situation feels like abandonment for those who have made it to America.
The landscape of refugee support in the Atlanta area consists of a complex network of resettlement agencies and nonprofits. These resettlement agencies typically rely on federal funds and some private donations to provide housing and crucial case management for the initial 90 days post-arrival. After this period, nonprofits are expected to continue facilitating support for these families, including assistance with learning English, finding jobs, and acclimatizing to their new environments.
Unfortunately, as Kweskin pointed out, even before the ban, federal funding to support these services was often insufficient. The termination of federal resettlement contracts has now placed this systemic operation in jeopardy. For instance, New American Pathways’ parent organization, Church World Service, has announced plans to furlough and lay off nearly 1,500 employees in direct response to the executive order.
At present, no employees at New American Pathways have faced layoffs, and the organization has managed to fund initial 90-day expenses for those refugees arriving prior to the ban. Nevertheless, the longer a stakes situation lingers, the more uncertain the future appears. “We’re worried about next year,” Kweskin expressed.
The situation has compelled privately funded nonprofits in Atlanta to step up and address gaps in services that resettlement agencies usually manage. Friends of Refugees, which typically focuses on long-term integration, has begun directly assisting families at risk of losing financial support from their resettlement agencies. While they were able to raise some additional funds, senior director of program integration Rusty Pritchard underscored the struggle that lies ahead: “To continue doing that, it’s going to be a struggle.”
The Welcome Co-op, previously engaged in providing housing for new arrivals, has redirected its efforts to support the material needs of refugees already in Georgia. The organization operates a store where refugees can obtain essential items like clothing, furniture, and hygiene products without any cost. However, to sustain its operations in the absence of federal contracts, it too must pursue private donations.
Amidst this funding turmoil, various resettlement agencies are joining forces in a legal battle to contest the refugee ban. The International Refugee Assistance Project has taken up the cause, representing a coalition of refugees and resettlement agencies in a lawsuit against the Trump administration, urging the restoration of the refugee admissions program.
Currently, a ruling by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals allows only about 160 refugees who had secured approval from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and purchased tickets within a two-week window post-executive order to enter the U.S. For the thousands of others who had been approved but planned to arrive later, their cases must be assessed individually, leaving much in limbo.
As these nonprofits navigate the complex and uncertain landscape, their commitment to supporting refugees remains steadfast. Emily Laney, executive director of The Welcome Co-op, expressed hope for collaboration with the philanthropic and faith communities in Atlanta. “We know that Atlanta is a welcoming place and that our communities care,” she said.
Moreover, Ansley Cole, an intern at The Welcome Co-op, affirmed her determination to continue advocating for refugees: “I’m going to show up for my organization and my community regardless. We have to persevere.”
image source from：atlantaciviccircle
