Refugee Ban Forces Evangelical Groups To Halt Aid Programs
World Relief, an evangelical humanitarian organization, has expressed concern after the federal government instructed the group to suspend its activities, which assist nearly 4,000 refugees. This directive came following President Donald Trump’s executive order that paused the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP).
In a statement to supporters, World Relief President Myal Greene explained that the organization, which works in partnership with the U.S. State Department to resettle refugees, received the cease-and-desist notice late last Friday. The order followed Trump’s decision to suspend the refugee program, citing concerns about the high levels of migration, including refugees entering the U.S. The USRAP, which began in 1980, allows refugees to eventually become permanent residents and citizens of the United States. World Relief voiced its concerns, stressing that the decision would negatively affect those already enduring significant hardships.
Greene emphasized the broader consequences of the suspension, noting that it would harm those who rely on U.S. humanitarian aid in areas suffering from conflict, famine, and lack of access to basic necessities like water and sanitation.
The executive order stated that the U.S. lacked the capacity to absorb large numbers of refugees without straining resources, compromising safety, or hindering their successful integration. The suspension of the USRAP will remain until the entry of refugees aligns with U.S. interests, according to the order.
Under the Biden administration, refugee admissions have increased, with over 100,000 resettled in fiscal year 2024, the highest number in three decades. This was part of a shift from the previous administration, which had set the refugee ceiling much lower.
World Relief faced significant setbacks under Trump, including staff layoffs and office closures due to reduced funding for refugee resettlement. The organization now faces an urgent funding gap of $8 million due to the suspension of federal support.
World Relief Vice President Matthew Soerens pointed out the contrast in resettlement efforts under different administrations, with over 62,000 individuals resettled during the Obama years, 13,000 under Trump, and over 29,000 under Biden. Soerens also noted that, according to U.S. State Department data, Christians made up a significant portion of those resettled during both Trump’s and Biden’s terms, despite fluctuations during the Obama years.
In fiscal year 2024, funding for refugee processing and resettlement under the Biden administration amounted to $2.8 billion, with plans to increase this to $5.1 billion by 2025. These figures highlight the ongoing expansion of the refugee program, which has attracted criticism from conservative groups. The Center for Immigration Studies has particularly criticized the introduction of private sponsorship programs like the Welcome Corps, which it claims has opened the door to non-refugees being resettled, in contrast to the program’s original intent.
The Biden administration has also expanded access to resettlement for marginalized groups, including LGBTQI+ individuals, continuing the policies of his predecessor, President Obama.