On average, the U.S. holds about 95,000 refugees in safety each year. During Obama’s final year, the cap was at 110,000 refugees. Under our current administration, that cap was dropped to 54,000 in January 2017 and is now planned to reduce to just under 45,000 as of October 2018. This impacts three different refugee agencies within Colorado as each needs funds to provide housing, jobs, language-skill sessions and whatever else they may need. With the Department of State cutting the budget for the Refugee Admissions program from $583.9 million to a reduced $390 million by January 2019, our nation and state will struggle without the fiscal resources to commit to those in need.
Colorado was prepared to offer aid for over 1,370 refugees for the 2018 year, but as of mid September only 600 have arrived. The Lutheran Family Services, International Rescue Committee and the African Community Center of Denver are all nonprofits specializing in contracts connected with the state’s Refugee Services Program will have to reduce their intake after this decision. Jennifer Gueddiche, the director of the African Community Center, knows that they will only be able to support 150 individuals compared to the 650 they helped in 2016.
As for our community, an excess of cuts towards refugees has increased with the continued negative statements made about Muslims and Latinx populations by Donald Trump. With over 1 million Latinx residents in Colorado and about 20,000 Muslim residents of Colorado’s five million and growing population representing about 20% the state’s population, we must support our current and future Coloradans seeking safety within the nets of America. They help generate our economy with each dollar spent on each refugee adds $1.23 to our state and local government.
In a time full of hate, we should seek refuge within the support of each other to start having conversations about how to grow and work together as a better nation to once again proudly hold the title of being the best country in the world. Until then, we shouldn’t be surprised with policies reflecting the harmful isolation of marginalized populations.
