Alaska Refugees Face Hardship Under Trump's Cutbacks

From the Daily News Now Network, this is Corey, with Anchorage News Today.

Alaska has long been a haven for refugees fleeing war and hardship,

resettling an average of more than 450 people each year, from 20.

22 to 2024, mostly Ukrainians escaping conflict.

But under the new Trump administration, the U.S. refugee program has been sharply cut back,

leaving Alaska with just a handful of new arrivals.

Fewer.

The intent africaners from South Africa so far.

Earlier this year, President Trump suspended the national program on his first day in office,

instead a cap of 7,500 refugees for.

The year, down from 125,000 under Biden, before that, arrivals came from places like Venezuela, Congo, and Guatemala,

building on decades of resettlement from Sudan, Somalia, and elsewhere.

The changes have hit hard, especially for over 1,000 Ukrainians in Alaska,

whose two-year humanitarian parole has expired, leaving many without.

Work permits or drivers licenses.

More than 100 have already left, though recent advocacy from state leaders has led to some extensions.

Support organizations are scrambling too.

Catholic social services, once the main hub, lost federal funding ties,

shifting duties to groups like New Chants, which is now pausing services due.

To inconsistent arrivals and low numbers.

Meanwhile, the few South African families in Anchorage are struggling with limited aid,

no stock departments, or benefits like food assistance.

They've turned to a local church for basics like food and cars,

as funding dries up and the future stays uncertain.

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