Welcoming New Iowans: What Can You Do?
Updated Information Impacting Newcomers
***We will be posting policy updates as we receive them here and in our weekly newsletter, you can subscribe at the bottom of this page.
Policy Updates:
President Trump signed an executive order on Monday, January 20th, pausing the US Refugee Resettlement program for the next 4 months, with travel canceled after January 27th for all new arrivals. There is currently no information as to when the program may start again.
On Monday, January 20th, President Trump eliminated the Humanitarian Parole programs for Haiti, Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua.
On January 20th, President Trump signed an executive order to re-evaluate foreign aid. This order eliminated funding for the current Reception and Placement program (refugee resettlement program) taking away funding for around 500 newly arrived refugees throughout Iowa, including housing, food, transportation, interpretation assistance and case management. Each of the Refugee Resettlement agencies have been adjusting to try to help cover expenses where possible, but help is needed. See more information below.
The Trump Administration has made multiple statements around mass deportations, the elimination of protected spaces from ICE activity (schools, churches, health clinics, courts, etc), and an end to birthright citizenship. There are court proceedings that will still determine the outcomes of some policies, but there has been an increase in ICE activity throughout the United States, and know of an arrest made in DSM last week. It is VERY important that consideration is taken prior to sharing information about ICE in our community and to prevent the creation of unnecessary fear where possible. See below for how to connect with Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice for more information. For legal resources, see the tab above for more information.
Even though the Trump Administration’s order to stop funding for federal granted programs as been rescinded, funding for multiple federal programs through Iowa’s refugee resettlement agencies (separate from the initial refugee resettlement R&P program) is still on hold. Please see below for ways to support our newcomer communities.
Supporting Refugee Resettlement Agencies in Iowa:
While funding for refugee resettlement has been ordered to stop by the Trump Administration, each of the refugee resettlement agencies throughout the state are working on ways to support the 500 newly arrived refugees with housing, food assistance, job placement navigation, enrolling in schools, and transportation. For those wanting to help, grocery/WalMart/Visa gift cards are especially helpful to help fulfill food and household goods needs. Below are links for direct contact for each of the 7 agencies throughout the state, including other ways they need volunteers and donations.
All 7 resettlement sites in Iowa are successful in welcoming New Iowans largely due to the support they receive from local communities. If you are looking for ways to help welcome refugees to our state here are the direct links to each agency:
Catherine McAuley Center (Cedar Rapids)
Catholic Charities (Des Moines)
International Rescue Committee (Des Moines, Iowa City)
Lutheran Services in Iowa (Des Moines/Sioux City)
Mary Treglia House (Sioux City)
United States Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (Des Moines)
World Relief (Davenport/Quad Cities)
Supporting Newcomers Now: How to Help
If you are wanting more information about policy changes impacting refugee and immigrant communities or looking for ways to get involved by either volunteering or with by donating, Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice (IMMJ) offers many different ways to support our communities. They are a statewide membership-based advocacy and immigration legal service organization driven and led by immigrant and refugee voices and united with allies. Click here for a list of ways to volunteer or to complete their volunteer interest form, or click here to make a donation.
Learn More:
The Refugee Alliance website hosts a variety of resources for both New Iowans as well as direct service providers to learn how to serve our New Iowan communities better. The “Resources” tab above hosts a Newcomer Resource Directory, information on COVID-19 recovery and resources, a community-based ELL class matrix, information on the Refugee Immigrant Guide program, and more. Each of our workgroup also offers a host of resources specific to each sector. We also welcome the public at all of our events! For anyone with additional questions on resources or how to connect, we are always happy to help.
Refugee Alliance of Central Iowa
RACI is a voluntary membership network of service providers, government agencies, religious groups, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions that work together to better serve the needs of the growing refugee population in central Iowa. We provide targeted assistance in the areas of health, housing and transportation, interpretation, education, legal, along with advocacy at federal, state, and local government level.