MILWAUKEE — Organizations that work with refugees in the United States are facing difficult decisions and uncertainty after receiving a notice that the State Department halted federal assistance.
Hanan Refugees Relief Group in Milwaukee said it received a letter on Friday ordering it to stop work for new arrivals and to cancel outstanding obligations. Executive Director Sheila Badwan explained that the impacted program covers half of the nonprofit organization's costs for client services and administrative duties. The other half is funded by private donations.

Hanan Refugees Relief Group provides support with housing, English language learning, groceries and job assistance to help refugees become self-sufficient.
Badwan was shocked when the organization received an order to stop services for recent new arrivals. It came after the president's executive order pausing refugee resettlement that led to mounting questions and concerns from refugees and advocates.
"My mind went to the clients. We have vulnerable populations that we brought in, people who are survivors of torture and violence," Badwan explained.
If the nonprofit is unable to cover the gap, refugees caught in the middle could face homelessness, advocates say.
The move puts organizations that provide refugee services in an uncertain position to continue their work and calm anxious families.
"These clients wait anywhere from five to 10 years just to come to the U.S., and they go through extensive background checks through these programs," Badwan stated.
Watch: Refugee advocates face difficulty after message federal funding is halted
The organization had anticipated receiving dozens of refugees next month and says some clients had families whose flights to the U.S. were canceled. Leaders say they work with refugees from across the world.
Maryam Durani came to Wisconsin in 2021 with hundreds of other Afghan refugees after the Taliban seized Kabul. Her role in pushing for women's rights in her home country put her life in danger over the years. Durani's impact earned her the International Women of Courage Award in 2012. Now, Durani works with Hanan Refugees Relief Group in Wisconsin.
"The people call me at night, in the morning, every time because they are scared. They don't know what happened," Durani said.

TMJ4 News asked Durani why she chose to speak out, as client families have avoided sharing their personal stories publicly.
"Because I understand one thing: at the time that you start to talk about your rights, it not only helps you, it helps other people," Durani explained.
While refugees are on a legal pathway to citizenship in the United States, that is little comfort to families who, advocates say, are afraid to leave their homes.

"I think people always think that refugees come in and they're living off the government," Badwan stated. "I’ve been in this work for over 10 years now, and I've seen how much refugees give back to the community."
Hanan Refugees Relief Group is one organization turning to the community for donations, volunteers, and help reaching elected officials.

Global Refuge, a national nonprofit that works with refugee communities, posted an "urgent" message to its website calling for donations and help given the U.S. government's pause on funding for "recently arrived refugee families."
Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan is among the organizations that partner with Global Refuge.
Senior leadership with Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan released the following statement on Monday:
“As this is a very fluid situation, LSS is continuing to review information from our partners like Global Refuge. Through our belief in the infinite worth of every person, we will continue to provide necessary assistance to our active refugee caseload."
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