Federal cuts jeopardize support for 300 Greensboro refugees

Greensboro-based World Relief Triad supports 300 refugees with housing, jobs and education, but that work has become more difficult since President Trump suspended the U.S. Refugee Admission Program in January. 

This action banned refugees from entering the country and stopped the flow of federal dollars to agencies like World Relief. 

"And so that funding for our particular office was $500,000 that was revoked," said Jon Musser, director of community engagement for World Relief Triad. "Half of that was earmarked towards the families themselves and helping to pay costs like rent, and utilities and food and other basic needs and the other half was designated for our staff team to provide those services to those incoming families. "

Per Musser, the revoked funds forced the organization to furlough 11 of its 26 staff members. It also meant a loss of about $1300 per refugee.

Musser said as a result, the agency has had to lean more heavily on support from the community. He says it’s been chaotic, but donations are sustaining operations for now.

"It has been chaotic, that’s not an understatement," Musser said. "But we thankfully have seen a good generous response on the part of the community in terms of funding so far. We still have quite a ways to go but we feel very encouraged that we’ve been able to cover and keep people housed in February and now in March as well."

As for the refugees Musser said, "It’s been a lot of fear and instability and confusion. I mean it’s been challenging to keep up with the pace of changes and there have been times where we’ve communicated to families that things are changing, we’ve lost financial support from the government to do this work. We’re unsure of what that means right now. "

Musser added the refugee ban has separated families who traveled days apart. While some made it to the U.S., others who had already been approved for travel and entry were stuck in another country. 

Trump will decide in late April whether to resume the Refugee Admission Program, or continue the suspension. 

Santiago Ochoa covers healthcare for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. Follow him on X and Instagram: @santi8a98<