• Resettlement agencies are quickly securing housing for refugees before the onset of Trump’s second term.
• Families like the Lopez-Cañizarez family from Venezuela and Colombia find community support crucial.
• Trump’s immigration policies threaten to sharply limit refugee admissions, raising alarm among resettlement groups.

In New Milford, Connecticut, Rogers Lopez feels fortunate as he and his family settle into a furnished two-bedroom apartment just as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office. Lopez, a refugee from Venezuela, along with his wife Karina Cañizarez and their 5-year-old son, Jesus, arrived in December, greeted by a dedicated team of volunteers. As anxiousness grows over potential shifts in U.S. refugee policies, resettlement organizations across the nation are racing to finalize the placement of families before immigration pathways potentially shut down under the incoming administration. “Always, the refugee process is very difficult,” said Lopez, reflecting on the challenges faced, “But it will be more difficult in the future” as changes loom.

The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, established in 1980, has welcomed over 3 million individuals fleeing persecution due to various factors including race, religion, and political opinions. Under Trump's previous presidency, strict limitations on refugee admissions were enforced, and he has signaled intentions to “suspend refugee resettlement” in his upcoming term, aiming to “immediately end the migrant invasion of America” ([AP News](https://apnews.com/article/refugees-trump-resettlement-connecticut-6ad8a0504c6094cdf4c33e491fa25bc6)).

During Biden's final months, nearly 30,000 refugees entered the U.S., nearing the administration's target of 125,000. In contrast, Trump’s last term saw around 11,000 refugees admitted, marking the lowest number since the inception of resettlements. “People are desperate to do the work right now because we have a pretty good idea that all immigration is going to cease, at least for a while, when he takes office,” noted Michele Shackelford, president of the local resettlement group ([Los Angeles Times](https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2025-01-18/resettlement-agencies-race-to-help-refugees-ahead-of-trumps-second-term)).

The refugee resettlement process is rigorous, requiring approval from the United Nations and various checks by U.S. immigration officials, often taking years. In Connecticut, community leaders like Maria Mostajo and Carolyn Setlow are mobilizing efforts to support and settle families through initiatives they founded in their town of Washington. They are particularly cognizant of the urgency created by Trump’s proposed directives. “If Trump comes in and either puts the kibosh on these entries or, as he’s done in the past, reduces the number of people that can enter per year, then that basically means all these people that are in the pipeline, fewer and fewer of them are actually going to get in,” Mostajo explained.

In the wake of humanitarian crises, including the chaos that followed the fall of the Afghan government, community fundraising projects have emerged. Mostajo and Setlow, for instance, raised approximately $80,000 to assist an Afghan family, subsequently realizing the potential to support additional refugees through their Washington Resettlement Project, providing critical grants and resources to other volunteers. This model has been beneficial in preparing for upcoming arrivals, with federal officials anticipating around 130 resettlements in Connecticut shortly after the new year.

Organizations are working diligently, reaching out to community groups to help as many refugees settle in as possible before inauguration day. In just two weeks, volunteers in New Milford successfully acquired an apartment and furnished it with essentials for the Lopez-Cañizarez family, aiming for them to integrate into the community and become financially independent within a year. “We had no idea,” said Cañizarez, expressing gratitude for the support they've received. “This has been marvelous for us because these are excellent people ... they took us in like we are family.” ([AP News](https://apnews.com/article/refugees-trump-resettlement-connecticut-6ad8a0504c6094cdf4c33e491fa25bc6), [Los Angeles Times](https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2025-01-18/resettlement-agencies-race-to-help-refugees-ahead-of-trumps-second-term))