This year, the landscape for displaced families changed dramatically.

As we approach the end of 2025, we’re highlighting the most significant shifts in U.S. refugee and immigration policy – changes that have impacted the safety, stability, and well-being of families seeking refuge, and created significant challenges for the organizations working to support them. These include:

• Suspension and reduction of refugee resettlement: Thousands of approved refugees had their travel canceled, leaving many stranded and without safety or support.

• Loss of essential benefits: Access to SNAP and other vital programs was removed for refugees, asylees, and many other immigrants, deepening food insecurity and increasing health risks.

• Expanded enforcement and entry restrictions: Executive orders and travel bans have intensified deportations, expanded detention capacity, and introduced new nationality-based entry restrictions, further narrowing long-standing legal and humanitarian pathways.

• Weakened refugee support infrastructure: Significant underfunding of resettlement agencies and local programs reduced their capacity, limiting resources available to support displaced families.

For those who have fled war, persecution, and violence, this instability adds yet another layer of hardship, showing us why the support of local communities matters more than ever.

Refugee Care Collective is creating a pathway for communities to be neighbors to displaced families, providing care, connection, and meaningful support. Over the past several months, we have been developing free resources for local families, faith communities, neighborhood groups, and individuals who want to support their displaced neighbors. We look forward to sharing these in 2026:

• Navigating Systems Checklist & Guidebook: A comprehensive guide designed for small groups as they work together to ensure a family’s essential needs are met. It highlights common challenges and points of difficulty across housing, food, medical care, employment, education, and more.

• Community Resources Library: A directory of programs, services, and benefits available to displaced families and individuals in Portland, OR.

Next year, we will begin full production of two additional tools:

• Video Training Series: A modular library of short, accessible videos that bring core orientation content to life, equipping volunteers and complementing our written training resources.

• Landscape of Refugee Care: A clear framework for understanding refugee resettlement and immigration, outlining key terms, processes, and pathways to get connected.

At its heart, refugee resettlement has always been about communities coming together to care for those seeking refuge. And this is where we return – a simple yet radical compassion. It’s an invitation to remain present, even amid hardship, and to walk alongside our neighbors as they rebuild their lives.

We look forward to all that these resources will make possible.