Jewish Vocational Service of Kansas City (JVS), along with refugee resettlement agencies across the United States, were issued a stop-work order for the Reception & Placement Program, which helps refugees with housing, work and support.
The notice, issued on Jan. 24 by President Donald Trump’s administration, announced an immediate suspension of federal grants for the program. According to JVS leadership, this ceasing of financial support from the U.S. government negatively affects JVS’ ability to support its clients.
“These recent actions harm individuals right here in Kansas City who have been waiting to reunite with their loved ones for years if not decades, and now have those hopes dashed,” JVS Executive Director Hilary Cohen Singer said. “Not only have we closed our doors to new refugees, we have abruptly halted federal support for those already in our community.”
JVS is asking community members to help support its work with the integration of refugees locally. The organization suggests volunteering, donating and contacting federal representatives to urge lawmakers to resume refugee support.
The announcement to cut funding for the Reception & Placement Program comes on the heels of President Trump’s executive order on Jan. 20 to suspend almost all refugee resettlement in the United States for at least 90 days. After 90 days, President Trump will re-evaluate whether the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program should be resumed. JVS leadership also issued a statement condemning this decision.
“The move jeopardizes the legacy of U.S. leadership and commitment to humanitarian protection and freedom for the 43 million people impacted by war, violence and persecution,” the JVS statement read. “This action impacts thousands in the United States who are now unable to reunify with their family members through the refugee program, including countless Afghan nationals who served alongside our armed forces.”
JVS, which was originally established to assist Holocaust survivors and refugees adapt to new lives in the United States after World War II, now largely serves refugees from across the world who come to Kansas City. In addition to the intake processes, JVS helps refugees with community integration, wellness support and vocational skills.
“This shift could have devastating consequences for families brand new to the United States, who counted on agencies like JVS to walk alongside them and help them get up on their feet,” Cohen Singer said. “As a Jewish community, we should be alarmed out of concern for the wellbeing of our neighbors, and because we know all too well what happens when vulnerable and marginalized communities are targeted.”
