Refugees

Staff members and teachers from the Nahed Chapman New American Academy presented a petition in support of the program after SLPS leadership announced the program would be undergoing major changes.

After the Trump administration paused immigration efforts in January, the effects on families across the nation have been devastating. One Afghan man says his family members who were supposed to arrive in February are in limbo, and he needs St. Louisans to advocate for refugee resettlement funding.

Resettlement agencies and immigrant and refugee service providers in the St. Louis region have begun to scale back services for immigrants and refugees due to Trump’s executive order to pause federal funding.

About 250 community members gathered in Chesterfield on Sunday to celebrate the ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Arrey Obenson, former CEO and president of the International Institute of St. Louis, resigned because of misaligned visions and goals. He said the institute’s position as a service provider for immigrants and refugees should be widened.

Arrey Obenson no longer leads the International Institute of St. Louis. The institute’s board of directors is searching for a new leader.

New refugee families are headed to St. Louis over the next few weeks. A local immigrant and refugee nonprofit is working with a national resettlement agency to help families get immediate housing, employment and other resources.

The Naichuk family was forced to flee after Russia attacked their hometown. Now, Olha and Mikhailo juggle multiple jobs in the St. Louis region while raising their three kids and dreaming of their native Ukraine.

The International Institute of St. Louis desperately needs the community to provide monetary donations to bridge the funding gap in resettling new arrivals. Officials say that because of rising costs, federal funding isn’t enough.

SEED St. Louis is helping immigrants and refugees plant and grow fruits and vegetables from their homeland on an urban farm. Immigrant farmers say the farm helps them feel connected to the land they left.