The recent halt of legal refugee resettlement by the federal government, as ordered by Donald Trump’s new administration, paired with misleading attacks from public figures such as Elon Musk, is more than a policy change — it is a fundamental betrayal of America’s longstanding commitment to humanitarian leadership.
Lutheran Services Carolinas and other faith-based ministries have long been at the forefront of resettling refugees, ensuring that those fleeing war, persecution and unimaginable hardship find safety and the opportunity to thrive. This sudden and unjustified disruption endangers families who have already endured rigorous vetting processes and have placed their faith in the United States as a place of refuge.
For over 30 years, Lutheran Services Carolinas New Americans Program has worked in partnership with the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement and nonprofit partner Global Refuge to help immigrants and refugees integrate into communities across North Carolina and South Carolina. Our New Americans offices in both states have helped countless families rebuild their lives.
These are refugees who came through legal pathways and were thoroughly vetted through a process that often takes years, before being granted the chance to rebuild their lives. The government’s abrupt stop-work order not only undermines these individuals’ ability to succeed but also weakens the communities that benefit from their contributions.
Refugees arrive with little more than the clothes on their backs, relying on resettlement organizations for housing, healthcare access, English education, school enrollment and job placement. Stripping away these support systems creates insurmountable barriers to success and flies in the face of our values as a nation built by immigrants. It is not just a moral failure but an economic misstep, as studies have repeatedly shown that refugees contribute to local economies through hard work and entrepreneurship.
I just met with an SIV (Special Immigrant Visa holder) who served with us Americans in Afghanistan. One of this person’s siblings was scheduled to arrive on Feb. 2, 2025, but those plans were canceled with no prospects for the near future. The parents and other siblings are trapped in Afghanistan with little hope. The mother illegally taught all the children to read, write and do math. They are in danger. I am reminded of the quote from Martin Luther King Jr., “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” How can we turn our back, particularly for people who helped our own American soldiers in Afghanistan?
This issue transcends politics. For decades, both Republican and Democratic administrations have recognized the importance of refugee resettlement. Refugee resettlement has always had bipartisan support, especially for SIVs and as a business necessity in the workforce shortage. This bipartisan support reflects the understanding that offering refuge is both a moral duty and a strategic advantage, strengthening our economy, enriching our culture and reinforcing our reputation as a beacon of hope.
Lutheran Services Carolinas calls on policymakers in North Carolina and South Carolina to urge the White House and Congress to reinstate these vital services immediately. Refugee resettlement is a shared responsibility between federal, state, and local partners, and without swift action, countless families will face devastating uncertainty.
But the responsibility does not rest solely on lawmakers. We urge the citizens to stand in solidarity with legal refugees and immigrants. This is a moment to reaffirm our commitment to the principles of compassion, dignity, and opportunity. Lutheran Services Carolinas will remain steadfast in its mission. Still, it will take all of us — churches, businesses, and individuals — to ensure that these families, who have already overcome so much, can continue to build safe, stable and hopeful futures.
To turn our backs now would not only be un-American — it would be inhumane.
—Ted W. Goins Jr. is the president and CEO of Lutheran Services Carolinas.
