Latest news with #NashvilleInternationalCenterforEmpowerment
USA Today
05-02-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
How are refugees faring?
Happy Wednesday, friends! We've just about made it halfway through the week, hang in there!Here's what you need to know to start your day. Federal funding cuts to refugee resettlement programs Hello friends, this is reporter Kelly Puente. We're just over two weeks into the new Trump administration, but big changes are already happening in our country. The issue of immigration will likely be on the forefront over the next four years as Trump vows to cut back on the number of people coming into the U.S. And we're already seeing major impacts, not only on illegal immigration but for those coming into the U.S. legally as refugees. My story this week looks at the freeze in federal funding support for refugees and how it has impacted resettlement programs in Middle Tennessee. These programs rely on federal funding to provide food, shelter and other necessities for hundreds of refugees here legally from war-ravaged countries like Democratic Republic of the Congo, Syria and Afghanistan. The Nashville International Center for Empowerment, which has been helping people resettle in Middle Tennessee for more than two decades, is now scrambling to find funds for more than 150 people in its care. They're hoping for donations and private support as their federal funding remains in limbo. The center is one of many groups now wonder how their funding will change in a new administration. Please read more about this important issue here. And as always, thank you for your support. More stories to start your day: 🚗 Business: Donald Trump's potential tariffs on Mexico and Canada could hit home for Tennesseans through impacts on struggling automaker Nissan. Here's a look at how. 🚒 Crime: There are 40 fire stations in Nashville. Many of them have become the targets for burglaries and vandalism in the past two years. Craig Shoup has more on what's being done to stop the trend. 💭 Opinion: President Donald Trump's executive order to ban birthright citizenship is unconstitutional, opinion columnist Cameron Smith writes, adding that immigration should be handled through sensible legislation.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Dozens of refugee families at risk of homelessness in Nashville after federal assistance freeze
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Refugees who just arrived in Nashville legally are suddenly in limbo after President Donald Trump ordered a funding freeze for all federal assistance programs. The president also halted the arrival of refugees who were already cleared to move here. 'It is extremely overwhelming for a new arrival. My own family came to the U.S. from the former Soviet Union in 1993, so I know firsthand how difficult it is,' Max Rykov said. Ryvok works for Nashville International Center for Empowerment (NICE). It's a refugee resettlement and social services agency that works with refugees who first arrive to the U.S. legally. 'Not one more': Antioch High School students protest gun violence as school reopens 'We welcome those refugees; we pick them up at the airport; we find them their first apartment, their first jobs,' Rykov said. On top of that, NICE helps refugees navigate the health care system, pay their bills and integrate into the U.S. by providing classes on English literacy, citizenship, and workforce development. 'The families that we work with have fled war zones, persecution, and violence, and resettlement is another one of those traumas that they experience,' Rykov said. Last year, NICE helped resettle about 500 people in Middle Tennessee. They were working with 150 people or 36 families before the suspension of the U.S. refugee admissions program, which halts travel for refugees who were already cleared to move to the U.S. 'It takes about two years of rigorous screenings, interviews and medical, and those who went through this process and have been waiting patiently were told they can no longer arrive,' Rykov said. | READ MORE | On top of that, federal funding was put on pause for federal assistance programs. Rykov said they heavily rely on federal funding to help refugees get on their feet when they first arrive. 'It's just a little bit over $1,000 per person, which is supposed to last them 90 days, so they have to start working very quickly, but that is the lifeline that they depend on,' Rykov said. NICE is asking for monetary donations so they can continue to provide services to families in need. Max told News 2 their immediate need is $64,000 in order to help cover rent and utility costs for families over the next month. This upcoming Monday, NICE is also holding a virtual webinar at 5:30 p.m. so the community can learn more about how refugees in Middle Tennessee are impacted and how you can get involved. You can find all the information here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
