Albany Refugee Service Pauses After Trump Order; Alleged Cairo ICE Raid
Stop-Work Order Halts Refugee Entry into US
The US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) in Albany received a stop-work order from the Trump administration on January 24th.
Resettlement and Placement Program on Pause
“This is something we knew could happen,” said David Sussman, the USCRI Albany Field office director. The agency has a resettlement and placement program in which they financially support refugees for 90 days after their arrival. The stop-work order puts that on pause.
As a result, the agency has had to lay off seven employees, but they’re still partially able to help refugees. “We are enrolling them into other programs that we have in existence and will be supporting them in those ways,” said Sussman.
Layoffs and Program Changes Affect Refugees
According to the organization, all reception and placement staff from every USCRI office across the country has been laid off.
Alleged ICE Raid in Cairo, Greene County
“CCSM has confirmed that there was an early morning work site raid on the morning of January 28th” revealed Bryan Maccormack, Co-Executive Director of Columbia County Sanctuary Movement (CCSM).
The immigration support group says the raid occurred in Cairo, Greene County. The organization’s co-executive director says two individuals were allegedly detained. He says both lived in America for eight to 10 years. One of the detainees allegedly has children who are U.S. citizens. CCSM says both detainees have no criminal record.
Verification and ICE Response
“The information that we’re not giving out at this time is the name of the individuals who were detained as well as the workplace that was the site of the raid” Maccormack explained.
NEWS10 is working to verify this raid with ICE. The Trump administration’s message has been that the raids are focused on illegal immigrants who’ve committed crimes. However, in this case, “They did not target or detain somebody with a criminal history,” said Maccormack.
Focusing on the Future
“If the executive order is changed in any way we’ll be ready to work with anyone who comes here said Sussman.
According to the White House, the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security have to submit a report to the president in 90 days to determine if resuming the refugee program would be in the country’s interest.
Conclusion
The USCRI is focusing on the future, prepared to resume their services if the executive order is changed. The alleged ICE raid in Cairo, Greene County, highlights the ongoing concerns about immigration and deportation policies under the Trump administration.
FAQs
What is the stop-work order? The stop-work order is a directive from the Trump administration to halt the refugee resettlement and placement program in the US.
What does this mean for refugees? The stop-work order means that refugees will not be able to receive financial support for 90 days after their arrival. The USCRI is enrolling them into other programs to support them in other ways.
What is the alleged ICE raid in Cairo, Greene County? The alleged ICE raid occurred on January 28th and resulted in the detention of two individuals who have lived in the US for eight to 10 years and have no criminal record.
Will the USCRI resume their services? The USCRI is prepared to resume their services if the executive order is changed and the refugee program is reinstated.
