07-04-2025
Presidential executive order halts new arrivals of refugees to Oklahoma
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — A local non-profit called the Spero Project is helping refugees who make it to the Sooner State adjust and thrive. However, now they're facing a new challenge, due to recent executive orders by President Donald Trump.
'There is war in my country, it's been [going on] many, many years,' said Sang Rem, the executive director of resettlement at the Spero Project.
Rem was born in Burma. She turned her emotional refugee journey into a children's book.
When she was a teenager, Rem and her family crossed over into Malaysia.
'Because of the war. Because of the starvation,' said Sang. 'We walk, we run, we cross rivers and fields. We were on the boat. We had to lay down and they put tarp on top of us.'
Rem and her family are forever grateful to have landed on U.S. soil when she was 15. When they eventually arrived in Oklahoma, the Spero Project was there.
'They supported me throughout my college years,' said Rem.
At 31, she's now Spero's executive director of resettlement.
The non-profit has been around for about 17 years, but recently became affiliated with agencies contracted with the federal government, to help refugees find homes in Oklahoma. They've helped 2,700 refugees from countries from all over the world with housing, to the language, culture, and jobs.
'We give families and individuals a chance to dream again,' said Rem.
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To put it into perspective, consider that the average refugee, who makes it to another country, spends an average of 26 years in a refugee camp. Less than half of 1% actually make it out of a refugee camp and into a country that accepts refugees.
However, an executive order from the Trump Administration is halting the future arrivals or refugees—crushing news for those about to arrive.
'They are ready to fly to the US. A few weeks after the inauguration, and they already sell everything that they own,' said Rem. 'They get to know that they're not going to fly any more.'
Kaitlyn Ritchie, Executive Director of Programs, said a promised 90-day review of refugee programs was instead cut-short by the White House. That leaves Spero without federal funding.
'Those ten national resettlement agencies that are contracted to the federal government, of which we are a affiliate of, they have since received termination letters,' said Ritchie.
'Starting October of 2025, 86% of our funding is going to get cut. So we don't know what we're going to do,' said Rem.
According to the Realigning The United States Refugee Admissions Program executive order, 'The United States lacks the ability to absorb large numbers of migrants, and in particular, refugees, into its communities in a manner that does not compromise the availability of resources for Americans, that protects their safety and security, and that ensures the appropriate assimilation of refugees. This order suspends the USRAP until such time as the further entry into the United States of refugees aligns with the interests of the United States.'
'We made that commitment to neighbors. I think the United States made that commitment to neighbors. And so we want to honor it too,' said Ritchie.
For now, the Spero Project is hoping grants and private donors can help them find a path forward.
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