In Laurel, Maryland, Rahmani, an Afghan father of two, faces a dire financial struggle. Formerly employed by a U.S.-supported organization in Kabul, he now finds himself at risk of eviction in the U.S., as funding cuts to federal refugee programs have eliminated essential support he was relying on. With rent and utilities amounting to nearly $1,850 a month, a stark contrast to costs in Kabul, Rahmani is overwhelmed by his situation. His relentless search for employment, scouring local markets and stores, has so far been fruitless.
Rahmani arrived in the U.S. in November through a federal refugee program, designed to support those fleeing persecution by providing services like housing, food, and job placement assistance over three months, with additional grants supporting refugees for up to five years. However, this assistance was abruptly reduced to just two months following funding cuts by the Trump administration. As a result, Rahmani struggles with increased anxiety without any income, pushing him to seek medical help for stress.
Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSSNCA), the local agency assisting Rahmani, is itself in turmoil, waiting on $3.7 million in federal reimbursements. Having to lay off a sizable portion of its staff, the organization has been grappling to support its clients, many of whom, like Rahmani, are Afghan allies. These individuals, linked to U.S. efforts in Afghanistan, face challenges adapting to life in America.
Rahmani remembers his work in Afghanistan, which had aimed to support democracy through media funded by the U.S. Despite finding refuge in the U.S., he now fears for his family’s future amidst financial uncertainty. Noticing his toddler’s significance, Rahmani laments the education disparities back home, contemplating whether moving to the U.S. was the right choice. Facing potential eviction, he asks, “If they kick me out from the apartment, where should I stay?”
Housing assistance remains a critical concern for LSSNCA, as many families, including Rahmani’s, face eviction threats. The agency’s CEO, Kristyn Peck, describes difficult daily decisions about resource allocation amidst funds scarcity, emphasizing the impossibility of meeting all needs. While $500,000 has been raised, the shortfall from federal fund freezes remains unmet, highlighting the challenges of refugee care without government backing.
Reverend Rachel Vaagenes’s efforts, including a successful fundraiser securing $25,000 to cover rent for several families, underscores the community’s inability to replace the federal infrastructure. Global Refuge, LSSNCA’s parent organization, faces similar challenges, having anticipated reduced admissions but not the abrupt funding halt. This cutoff has affected thousands of refugees within a crucial aid window.
Krish O’Mara Vignarajah of Global Refuge criticizes the dismantling of the bipartisan refugee support program, which once saved countless lives. The refugee resettlement system, thrust into chaos post-withdrawal from Afghanistan, saw demand rise rapidly. Supporting roughly 500 people monthly during this period strained LSSNCA’s capabilities.
The continuation of the program remains tied up in legal battles, with court rulings partially reviving federal reimbursements under the Biden administration. However, this is insufficient for work unpaid since January, affecting the agency’s operations drastically. Rahmani, amidst these struggles, contemplates a return to Afghanistan despite ongoing dangers, reflecting on how his family might find more community support there than in America. The uncertainty surrounding his life in the U.S. leaves him deeply distressed about his family’s security and future.