SPOKANE, Wash. — Local families are already feeling the effects of the executive orders President Trump’s signed on day one of his second presidential term.
One of the executive orders making the biggest impact changes the U.S. policy on refugees.
The order suspends the country’s refugee admissions program indefinitely, starting January 27, banning any new entries from then on.
“[A refugee] is someone who has fled their country out of a well-founded fear of persecution,” said Christi Armstrong, Executive Director of World Relief Spokane. “And they have to prove that.”
Roughly 10,000 refugees previously cleared to resettle in the U.S. are expected to be affected and unable to board their flights.
Saw Gary lives in Spokane and works at Thrive International, a local organization that helps refugees.
He fled Thailand in 2004 and lived in a refugee camp until his paperwork was sorted. He is now a United States citizen.
“It’s no hope. No future. Going through that process, you’re hoping that you can find a better life and hoping that you can find a better place, a place you could call home,” he said.
Gary’s brother-in-law was set to come to the U.S., but will no longer be allowed entry because of the new executive order.
“It’s heartbreaking. As a former refugee, I’ve been through the same process. Knowing that my family will not be able to travel due to the administration and the ban, it’s just very emotional,” he said.
Like Gary’s family, many other refugee families in Spokane are left wondering if they will ever be reunited in light of the admissions program pause.
“We honestly don’t have answers,” said Armstrong. “Not being able to welcome people as we have is really heartbreaking.”
Under the Biden Administration, the United State’s refugee admissions were capped at 125,000 per year.
President Trump did not indicate if and when the program might be reactivated.
“Folks feel really concerned that maybe they’re not as welcome in this country,” said Mark Finney, Executive Director of Thrive International.
In the executive order it states it will only resume if in the ‘interest’ of the United States.
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