The U.S. accepted no refugees in the month of October. On November 1st, the White House announced that President Trump has set a cap of 18,000 refugees for the next fiscal year. Over the past 20 years U.S. Presidents have maintained refugee ceilings in the range of 70,000 to 90,000 refugees per year.
This year Texas was the top refugee receiving state, with 1,389 individuals resettled here.
In Abilene the International Rescue Committee helps families find housing and jobs and make connections on their journey toward self-sufficiency. Susanna Lubanga, Resettlement Director for the IRC's Abilene office says the shrinking numbers of refugees has a direct impact on those who are trying to make a life here, as well as the communities that rely on them to fill entry-level jobs.
IRC is also collecting donations to provide Thanksgiving meals to families who have arrived in Abilene in the last year. They are accepting food items as well as cash and gift card donations. IRC invites individuals to drop off grocery gift cards and nonperishables during normal business hours (8:30-4:30 M-F) at the IRC in Abilene office located at 3305 N. 3rd St. Suite 320 Abilene, TX 79603.
For more questions check the IRC website, or contact Jen Rogers at jen.rogers@rescue.org or 325 675 5643.
Find out more about the history, trends and policies of U.S. immigration on the Migration Policy Institute's website.
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