30-01-2025
‘Complete chaos': Local non-profit that helps refugees worried about potential federal funding freeze
PORTLAND, Ore. () — President Donald Trump's plan to put a freeze on federal funding was rescinded by his administration on Wednesday after being blocked by a federal judge. However, that doesn't mean the chaos is over.
White House representatives said the funding freeze effort will continue since it was mandated by an executive order signed by Trump. Meanwhile, organizations in Oregon are being left in limbo about what will happen next.
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Yahya Haqiqi is the President and CEO and the Afghan Support Network, based in Beaverton. The non-profit provides 400 local immigrants and refugees with monthly work, utility and housing assistance. He said some of their programs — including teaching recipients how to drive, speak English and become independent — could be impacted if federal funding is cut off.
'It impacts the hundreds of people who look to us in their moments of vulnerability,' Haqiqi said. 'We're already thinking about potentially letting people go, freezing programs. So just complete chaos, which I think is what this was meant to do, and it did the job.'
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield is among 22 others who are filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration to try and halt the federal funding freeze. .
'Right now, there's a lot of chaos coming out of Washington, DC,' Kotek said.
'It's another example of the Trump administration and attempts to sow division and chaos,' added Rayfield.
The U.S. Office of Management later clarified programs providing direct benefits to Americans would be excluded from the funding freeze order, which has now been put on pause.
'This is not a blanket pause on federal assistance and grant programs from the Trump administration,' said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. 'If you are receiving individual assistance from the federal government you will still continue to receive that.'
However, White House representatives did not say whether non-profits helping minority groups would also be spared from the potential freeze.
'What does this mean? Which grants are going? We're looking at potentially half of our budget just disappearing overnight, not something we were prepared for in any way,' said Haqiqi. 'Is this even legal?'
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Though the Trump administration recalled the funding freeze memo on Wednesday, Leavitt took to X, saying plans were still in place to implement the freeze.
'This is NOT a rescission of the federal funding freeze. It is simply a rescission of the OMB memo,' Leavitt said. 'The President's EO's on federal funding remain in full force and effect.'
'It feels like America is breaking its promise to the people who for the last few decades fought side by side with Americans, fighting for American values,' Haqiqi said. 'Today they are being told, 'We don't care about you. We don't care if you're in danger, we don't care if you're here and we promised to help you. We're going to take all of that away from you because we can.''
With funding for Afghan Support Network up in the air, they are now relying on donations. A .
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