March 2025: Updates from CRIS
With executive orders and judicial decisions being announced daily, it is challenging to offer an overview of all that has transpired over the last month. These rapid policy changes and continued funding freezes create uncertainty for those seeking safety and the programs and services that help refugees and immigrants build stable lives.
What is very clear is that the continuation of refugee resettlement in the U.S. is at grave risk. While a lower federal court issued an order blocking the administration’s ban on refugee resettlement on February 25th, this perceived victory was quickly overshadowed by sobering news. On February 27th, we learned from Church World Service that all national resettlement agencies received termination notices for their contracts with the U.S. Department of State, a move that could dismantle the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program as we know it.
What We Know
The indefinite suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program is still in effect for all practical purposes, which continues to leave thousands of already-vetted refugees waiting (many with scheduled flights that were cancelled) to be resettled.
The International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) filed a lawsuit on February 10 on behalf of Church World Service, HIAS, Lutheran Community Services Northwest (LCSNW), and nine individuals directly affected by this suspension.
On February 25, the Western District of Washington heard oral arguments in Pacito v. Trump, the first legal challenge to the Trump administration’s executive order on refugee restrictions. After the hearing, the judge issued a preliminary injunction from the bench, blocking both the indefinite refugee ban and the associated funding freeze.
The stop-work order from the U.S. State Department that froze funds for all foreign assistance programs is, for all practical purposes, still in effect.
In the midst of ongoing legal battles ordering the administration to release nearly $2 billion in frozen foreign aid (including funding for refugee services), the Trump administration issued termination notices on February 26th to resettlement agencies, seeking to cancel contracts for the services they provide, including core Reception and Placement (R&P) support to refugees nationwide. In an emergency appeal filed on February 27th in the Pacito v. Trump refugee ban case, the plaintiffs argued that the terminations are an attempt "to shut down the entire U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) immediately and permanently, in clear violation of the Refugee Act." A hearing is scheduled in federal court for March 4th.
What This Means
Although we still await payment of frozen federal funds due us for our resettlement program work, the CRIS team has worked diligently to provide the core services needed by new refugee arrivals - placement in housing, school enrollment, health screenings, and more. Unfortunately, we were forced to scale back operations and reduce many of our valued resettlement program staff. But, whether by serving clients via other CRIS programs or increased volunteer support, our priority remains to ensure that clients are supported to the greatest extent possible.
Each day at CRIS is filled with mission moments—here are just a few examples of what’s happening these days (in no way an exhaustive list!):
With no new arrivals to place in housing, our housing team is focusing on housing education for those who are already here. The team created and rolled out an interactive housing orientation curriculum designed to empower our new neighbors with the skills and knowledge they need to manage home care, rent and utility payments, and more, fostering greater self-sufficiency.
CRIS’ Match Grant (employment) program has launched a new in-person English class meeting multiple days a week at a local library.
CRIS Legal Services continues to host weekly legal clinics for Haitians and Ukrainians. They are also offering additional legal clinics for Ukrainians to ensure everyone in this community on Temporary Protected Status has the opportunity to apply for an extension of this status.
The CRIS Wellness Clinic team is now hosting on-site mental health therapy sessions and connecting clients with other community resources for their mental health.
The current/upcoming session of CRIS wellness groups includes a weekly women’s health and wellness group for some of our Spanish-speaking clients, an Eritrean sewing group, and an art therapy group for some of our Congolese clients.
Our Refugee Support Services (RSS) Employment Program continues to host weekly employment intake sessions, English classes, and a job readiness course for professionals.
Our Community Connectors team has an after-school program for refugee and immigrant youth, providing engaging activities and field trips for the full slate of participants and pairs highly committed mentors with youth mentees.
Our Senior Services program offers participants English two days each week at a local library.
What Our Community is Doing
The Central Ohio community continues to shine brightly in support of our refugee and immigrant neighbors! A few creative ways we’ve felt that support in recent weeks:
Local company CAS donated 67 refurbished laptops that we will be able to distribute to those we serve for job searches, English studies, and more
Pattycake Bakery hosted a one-day fundraiser–donating all the proceeds from sales that day–raising over $3,100 in one day for the CRIS Enduring Welcome fund
Local flower business Kiwi Blooms Florals hosted a Valentine’s Day CRIS fundraiser, bringing in over $1,300
In February, the College of Medicine Student Council at The Ohio State University selected CRIS as the recipient of their annual “Month of Impact” activities, complete with raffle prizes and a social event for fellow students. Their fundraising efforts garnered 48 individual donations.
To all of those who continue to stand with us and those we serve: THANK YOU! Your support truly makes a profound difference in the lives of many.