NEW MILFORD, Conn. — Rogers Lopez and his family feel incredibly fortunate as they settle into their newly furnished two-bedroom apartment in Connecticut, just as Donald Trump prepares to become president. Along with his wife Karina Cañizarez and their young son Jesus, the couple fled their home countries, Venezuela and Colombia, and they were warmly welcomed by a helpful group of volunteers when they arrived in December. As similar stories unfold across the nation, resettlement organizations raced against time at the end of President Joe Biden’s term to secure housing for refugees before Trump potentially imposes strict restrictions on asylum and citizenship pathways.
“The refugee process is always incredibly challenging,” shared the 29-year-old Lopez, who left Venezuela due to “political issues.” He expressed concern that future conditions for refugees are expected to worsen. The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, established by Congress in 1980, has provided refuge for over 3 million individuals fleeing persecution due to factors such as race, religion, nationality, social group affiliation, or political beliefs.
During his first term, Trump set stringent limits on refugee admissions and has indicated intentions to “suspend refugee resettlement” to combat what he terms an “invasion” of migrants to the U.S. On the other hand, President Biden has increased resettlement targets, emphasizing the historical generosity of the American spirit and the significant economic contributions made by refugees.
In the last quarter of 2024, nearly 30,000 refugees made it to the U.S., approaching Biden’s goal of admitting 125,000 refugees annually. In stark contrast, Trump allowed around 11,000 refugees during his final year in office, which was the lowest number recorded since refugee resettlement began in the country.
“Everyone is eager to do the necessary work right now because we anticipate that immigration will come to a halt once he takes office,” stated Michele Shackelford, who leads the New Milford Refugee Resettlement group aiding Lopez’s family. Unlike asylum-seekers who arrive at the U.S.-Mexico border, refugees they assist are subjected to a much more rigorous procedure. After the U.N. refugee agency assesses their eligibility, they undergo interviews with U.S. immigration representatives and must clear background security checks and medical evaluations, which can take several years.
Recognizing the urgency posed by the incoming administration, Maria Mostajo, a former prosecutor from Manhattan, and Carolyn Setlow, a retired executive, have been tirelessly working to assist families in Connecticut through a local initiative they established in Washington. “If Trump moves to restrict these entries or reduces allowable admissions, it will mean that fewer individuals currently in the pipeline will be able to enter the U.S.,” Mostajo pointed out.
In the wake of the fall of the Afghan government, Mostajo and Setlow organized a community meeting to seek volunteers and financial support for resettling an Afghan family of six. Through various fundraising initiatives, including a GoFundMe campaign and local events, they raised an impressive $80,000 in addition to receiving various donations of essentials such as furniture, clothing, legal aid, and English language tutoring.
Recognizing the potential to assist even more refugees, they decided to offer grants of up to $10,000 to other volunteer groups. Since the election, they have already dispensed grants to the New Milford group, among others, with plans for additional support in the near future, as noted by Mostajo.
After Trump’s election victory, global organizations like Church World Service encouraged U.S. residents to establish more private sponsorship groups under the Welcome Corps initiative launched by the State Department in 2023. This program aims to engage citizens in supporting incoming refugees, with each group required to raise a minimum of $2,425 per refugee for the first three months of living costs.
Larger resettlement agencies are responsible for making familial matches. In Connecticut, officials from Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services in New Haven anticipated about 130 arrivals during the window between late November and January. IRIS, which receives funding to assist refugees, contacted nearly 50 community organizations to facilitate as many placements as possible prior to Inauguration Day, according to Mohammad Daad Serweri, who oversees sponsorship programs at IRIS.
Remarkably, within a span of just two weeks, the New Milford volunteers successfully found housing for the Lopez-Cañizarez family, stocking it with food, toys, and furnishings from thrift stores. They aspire for the family to seamlessly integrate into the local community, secure employment, and manage their living expenses independently within the coming year.
The couple expressed gratitude for the unexpected support they received, revealing that they had never envisioned a living situation that would provide such comfort and security. “We had no idea,” Cañizarez remarked in Spanish, adding, “This has been marvelous for us because these are exceptional people who have welcomed us as if we were family.”
