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Executive order to pause refugee resettlement in Idaho

HAILEY HILL | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 day, 19 hours AGO
by HAILEY HILL
Staff Writer | January 25, 2025 1:07 AM

An executive order issued Monday by President Donald Trump will suspend the arrival of refugees into the U.S. for at least 90 days.

Idaho brings in an average of 800 refugees each year, in partnership with resettlement agencies in Boise and Twin Falls as well as various community networks, according to a press release from the Idaho Office for Refugees.

The order, which goes into effect Monday, halts the arrival of refugees who have been vetted and approved for resettlement and pauses decisions on refugee applications, with some possibility of exceptions.

The order does not affect the status or work authorization of refugees who have already been resettled in the U.S., the press release said.

“Refugee resettlement is core to our identity as Idahoans and has been a popular and highly successful program since 1975,” said Tara Wolfson, director of the Idaho Office for Refugees.

Refugees coming to Idaho over the past several years are largely from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ukraine and Afghanistan.

Despite the order, IOFR Communications Manager Holly Beech said there is “a lot of work still being done” to serve refugees who have arrived in Idaho over the past year.

Beech said IOFR assists refugees with finding jobs and receiving an education, among other services, through programs funded by private grants and donations. The U.S. Department of State funds initial support services upon refugees’ arrival.

“We’re taking it day by day and trying not to speculate,” Beech said.

Beech believes the program is beneficial to communities across the state in addition to humanitarian efforts worldwide.

“A lot of our ancestors came here facing persecution as well,” Beech said. “It’s part of our American identity.”

Under the executive order, the secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, will submit a report to President Trump every 90 days on whether resuming refugee arrivals is in the interest of the United States, according to the press release.

At that time, the president will determine if and when the resettlement program resumes.

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