Michigan, a state known for its compassionate refugee resettlement efforts, has seen a significant slowdown in its refugee programs. More than 32,000 refugees, fleeing war, violence, and persecution from countries like Iraq, Syria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, were welcomed into Michigan between 2012 and 2024. This number surged last year, with nearly 3,700 refugees being accepted into the state.
However, all of that changed when actions taken by the Trump administration threw Michigan’s resettlement efforts into turmoil, leaving local agencies without the necessary federal funding to continue supporting incoming refugees. These refugees, already cleared for entry into the United States, now face an uncertain future as the resettlement process is put on hold.
According to Lukas Ziomkowski, vice president of refugee services at Samaritas, Michigan’s largest resettlement agency, “We’re just trying to be creative in how we can continue to be there for families that are already here.” Despite their best efforts, the situation remains dire for the refugees who arrived recently, with funding gaps causing a potential crisis.
Impact of the Freeze on Refugee Resettlement
The freeze on refugee resettlements began on the first day of Donald Trump’s presidency when he signed an executive order halting all refugee admissions. The order was justified on the grounds that the U.S. lacked the resources to absorb large numbers of refugees. This freeze immediately affected resettlements in Michigan, with some refugees who were already cleared to enter the U.S. having their flights canceled.
Adding to the confusion, the Trump administration later issued a stop-work order, freezing federal funding for refugee agencies. According to Myal Greene, president of the humanitarian organization World Relief, this move effectively ended a 45-year bipartisan refugee resettlement program. Several refugee agencies, including Samaritas, filed lawsuits against the administration, and a federal judge ruled in favor of resuming the resettlement efforts and restoring the funding.
Despite this legal victory, the Trump administration retaliated by terminating contracts with refugee agencies, leaving many programs in limbo. The uncertainty of federal funding continues, with agencies scrambling to support the refugees already in the U.S., while also facing the looming question of what happens next for future refugee admissions.
Challenges Faced by Michigan’s Refugee Agencies
The suspension of federal funding directly affects refugee resettlement programs, which provide essential services to those starting their new lives in the U.S. When refugees arrive, they are eligible for up to 90 days of relocation assistance, which helps cover housing, food, and healthcare costs while they transition to employment.
Ziomkowski estimates that the stop-work order cut off funding for around 1,000 refugees in Michigan, including those who had been in the country for just a few days. For Samaritas alone, this created a funding gap of $573,000 for 430 newly arrived refugees. As Ziomkowski explained, this gap could potentially result in refugees facing homelessness or lacking access to critical medical care and other essential services.
Scrambling for Donations
With federal funding frozen, many resettlement agencies have turned to donations to bridge the gap. While contributions from the public have been generous, they are still far from enough to make up for the loss of federal support. Samaritas, for example, is facing an $8 million shortfall this year.
Catholic Charities of Ingham, Eaton, and Clinton Counties, which is currently supporting 117 refugee families, including 61 children, has placed a red “HELP!” flag on its website. The organization estimates that $2,000 would be enough to support a family of four for a month. “Help is particularly critical during the first few months when there is a gap between securing employment and receiving a first paycheck,” the organization states.
Bethany Christian Services, another resettlement agency in Michigan, has also raised concerns on its website, noting the significant impact the funding freeze will have on refugees seeking safety in the United States.
Despite the fundraising efforts, Ziomkowski believes that the damage is already done for refugees trying to adjust to life in a new country without the support they need. The funding freeze has also led to hundreds of job losses at refugee resettlement agencies across the nation.
A Deeper Crisis for Refugee Programs Nationwide
The funding freeze doesn’t just affect Michigan. Nationwide, refugee resettlement programs are struggling to cope with the uncertainty. In addition to suspending funding for resettlement agencies, the Trump administration also issued another stop-work order in mid-February targeting legal services for unaccompanied minors. This order threatened to leave 26,000 children, including 800 in Michigan, without an attorney during immigration court proceedings.
Although this order was rescinded a few days later, the future of these legal services remains uncertain, leaving many vulnerable children without representation at a critical time in their lives.
The Future of Michigan’s Refugee Resettlements
Despite the uncertainty, refugee agencies in Michigan remain determined to support refugees. With the federal government’s actions causing confusion and concern, humanitarian organizations continue to urge the Trump administration to unfreeze federal funding and restore support for resettlement efforts.
As Ziomkowski put it, “We’re going to keep showing up. We’re going to keep being there for these populations. At Samaritas, we’ve done this for 75 years. As long as there’s a need, we’re going to continue to do it.”
The situation in Michigan underscores the broader challenges facing refugee resettlement efforts in the U.S., with agencies and refugees alike hoping for a resolution to the ongoing funding freeze. Meanwhile, the state continues to support the more than 32,000 refugees who have already made Michigan their home, even as the future of refugee admissions remains in doubt.
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