Connecting Care and CompassionCareersNewsContact
Search Icon

Statement of impact of new White House administration on our Refugee and Immigration Program

January 21, 2025

(January 21, 2025) Rochester, NY – For more than 100 years, Catholic Charities Family and Community Services (CCFCS) has provided refugee and immigration services to families from around the world, helping them build new lives in Rochester.  CCFCS is an agency of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rochester and the largest refugee resettlement agency in New York State. As one of hundreds of Catholic Charities agencies across the country, and in keeping with our calling, we provide humanitarian services to individuals who have fled war, violence and persecution in their home countries and who have been legally allowed to enter the U.S.

Just as he did during his first term in office, President Trump has issued numerous Executive Orders that will profoundly impact our refugee programs and clients. Those orders include a temporary suspension of the U.S Refugee Admissions Program, which effectively halts refugee admissions to the U.S.

Unfortunately, for those individuals still in the refugee pipeline, their refugee cases are now put on hold. This will impact several hundred refugee families who had planned to resettle in Rochester over the next few months. All had gone through the rigorous refugee vetting process to gain admission to the U.S. and secured travel arrangements to Rochester. Some had hoped to reunite with relatives who are already here.

Despite the new Executive Orders, CCFCS has every intention of maintaining our Refugee Resettlement Team. We will also continue to provide a broad set of services that best meet the needs of the refugee population. Over the last four months alone, CCFCS has welcomed 300 refugees to Rochester; now more than ever, they need us to be there for them. We remain steadfast in our mission to welcome the stranger, including all those who come to us seeking peace, freedom, and hopeful new lives.

About Catholic Charities Family and Community Services:

CCFCS provides housing, employment, and coordination of care to help people of all ages and all walks of life live independently with dignity, while facing the challenges of addiction, aging, mental illness, HIV, poverty, developmental disability, and immigration.

Media contact
Maureen McGuirenews@fcscharities.org