Last month the government halted entry of all new legal refugees and terminated humanitarian parole programs. In a nation of immigrants, to turn away from those fleeing persecution and violence betrays our history, the heart of our democracy, and our founders’ promise to extend the “unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” so often invoked by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
While this is not intended as an organizational statement, as someone who leads an organization dedicated to assisting refugees—among other underserved groups in programs receiving federal, county and city funds—my words are deeply rooted in my experience managing these services. I can attest to the profound implications these changes will have on our work and the lives of those we serve.
At JVS SoCal, we operate the Refugee Employment Program in Los Angeles County. Last year we helped more than 4,500 refugee clients find work, mostly individuals with families and children. Not only will this program wither with no newcomers, but there is also active confusion about the federal funding freeze, which is the lifeblood of social service programs like this and others we operate.
Ongoing crises around the world—natural disasters, political turmoil, and pervasive violence—have historically made the U.S. refugee and asylum system an essential pathway to freedom and have also helped build a stronger America. Despite this history, nativism and recent rhetoric demonizing immigrants have seeded fear and defensiveness around refugees’ presence in the U.S., making it increasingly difficult to find sustainable employment options for them.
Across Los Angeles, even immigrants here legally, who have waited in line for our system to vet and screen them, are alarmed. The ongoing threat of raids and mass deportation echoes haunting moments in history, exacerbating pervasive anxiety. This fear is not merely felt by individuals; it plagues entire communities. I feel compelled to speak out on behalf of our refugee neighbors and highlight their contributions to our communities and our country, even as prevailing public discourse seems to reflect an opposing view.
When leaders incite fear rather than compassion, they endanger the wellbeing of individuals and undermine the vital support systems that organizations like ours strive to provide. Our work is predicated on fostering an environment where refugees can attain self-sufficiency and stability through employment. Many of our clients arrive in the U.S. with advanced educations and recognition for professional achievements in their countries of origin. Since many fields don’t automatically recognize credentials earned elsewhere, experienced professionals often take entry-level and unskilled work to get by and provide for themselves and their families.
The last time our borders were closed, even to those who share our values for an open society that respects the rule of law, the Refugee Employment Program here in L.A. County eventually saw a 75% reduction in participants and funding. These are the very people, desperate for a better life, who turn to the U.S. for opportunities to work, pay taxes and contribute to the many industries that are severely constrained by labor shortages.
JVS SoCal is a non-partisan organization founded in 1931 by Jewish refugees and immigrants who sought a better life for themselves and others in Los Angeles. We still recognize that the struggles faced by new arrivals cannot be reduced to political talking points. These are lived experiences of actual people working towards a better life. It is our job to cultivate an atmosphere where understanding and opportunity serve as cornerstones of new life in America.
In this moment when hate and discord are on the rise, let us choose compassion over fear. Let us challenge the narrative that seeks to vilify rather than uplift. At JVS SoCal, we owe it to the families currently in our program—and countless other refugees and immigrants like them—to advocate for their dignity and humanity.
We must all strongly oppose current attempts to undermine our nation’s legacy of welcome for those “yearning to breathe free.” Now is the time to stand in solidarity, ensuring that refugee voices are heard and their rights under the law are respected.
Jeff Carr, CEO JVS SoCal