As the effects of increased ICE activity and cuts to SNAP benefits for refugees and asylum-seekers continue to ripple across Oregon, organizations serving the populations are working to meet their growing needs.
About 3,000 refugees and asylees in Oregon have lost their SNAP benefits since changes from H.R. 1 took effect early this year.
Abdul Hassan, cofounder of the Community Empowerment Foundation, a nonprofit working primarily with Afghan immigrants and refugees. Most of them came to Oregon legally and have active asylum cases. Hassan said many Afghan immigrants face language barriers and cannot find living-wage jobs.
“They mostly rely on SNAP benefits,” Hassan explained. “The current changes have put the people in a situation that I would say they don’t have enough food on the table even for their family members.”
He noted the foundation used to expect about 30 families at its food distribution events and now they expect at least double the number. He added the restrictions on SNAP have led to new collaborations across organizations supporting migrants. The foundation is working with Oregon Food Bank, the Pacific Refugee Support Group and others to meet the growing needs for food and help with navigating the immigration system.
Hassan pointed out many Afghan families who are in the U.S. legally still feel the effects of increased ICE presence. Though they should not be detained or deported under the law, he stressed multiple people in Portland have been.
“That situation caused chaos amongst the community members,” Hassan observed. Everybody was, and still, people are afraid that at any moment, they can be arrested or apprehended for no reason.”
Hassan added the foundation was able to help detainees hire lawyers and some migrants have been released but others remain in custody.
by By Isobel Charle, Public News Service
