Rochester nonprofit ends refugee resettlement program following federal immigration freeze
News 8 has learned that about 800 refugees who would have relocated to Rochester through the organization are no longer able to, as the agency is losing capacity to resettle the population over the federal freeze.
That freeze, which started in January, has halted refugee resettlement and immigration programs across the country and has forced some locally-based programs to make adjustments.
Immediately after the freeze took place, representatives for Catholic Charities say the nonprofit chose to raise funds and underwrite costs for existing clients.
In April, their contractor agency ended its relationship with the Federal Office of Refugee Resettlement, which left the organization no choice but to cut the primary program and other specialized services for refugee families.
'The main change is to our refugee resettlement program. Before the main freeze and last year in 2024, we welcomed 1,100 refugees in our community through Catholic Charities. We're unfortunately no longer able to do that because of the federal pause on refugee resettlement. What that means for us is we're losing that capacity to resettle refugees. We've lost staff as well in this process. We've had to reduce staff in a few layoffs, but we've been very successful with moving many of our people into other positions in the department or agency,' said Jim Morris, who serves as vice president for family prosperity programs at Catholic Charities.
Morris added the agency is committed to working with families on next steps in the midst of uncertainty.
'What's very important to us is to maintain the capacity to assist refugees that are already here. We're doing that through programs like our refugee employment program, which places hundreds of refugees to work in our community every year. These closures are not of our own design or desire. We have had closures and funds frozen. If it were up to us, of course we would keep these programs open,' said Morris.
Morris noted these changes at the federal level were seen in President Trump's first term, but says the results were not as severe.
'This time around, there's been a complete halt to refugee settlement. There was a promised review from the administration 90 days after that halt. We have not seen a review and we are not sure that exists. That report was supposed to describe the conditions under which refugee resettlement would continue. We're still not sure that is going to happen,' said Morris.
In part of a statement, Catholic Charities representatives added, 'Despite these changes, CCFCS is still delivering a wide range of refugee and immigration services, including job preparation and placement, post-resettlement integration and self-sufficiency services, refugee health, and legal immigration services. If the federal administration decides to restart the admission of refugees to the U.S., CCFCS stands ready to resume that work as well. The Greater Rochester region has a long history of embracing refugees from around the world. CCFCS is proud of the role we play in this work. As we move forward, we remain most grateful for the community's support of our mission.'
Meanwhile, Keeping Our Promise, a Rochester-based 501(c)(3) resettlement organization, has helped to resettle 181 individuals from Afghanistan since the federal freeze took effect in January. A spokesperson for the organization added, 'Thanks to grants from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation and the Asian American Federation, we are able to cover staff salaries. A United Way grant, and a grant from the Greater Rochester Health Foundation, is helping to cover the loss in some of the resettlement funds that would leave these families homeless and without food, but KOP must raise money to help with the resettlement of our wartime allies from Afghanistan.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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