Providence Faces Uncertain Future for Refugee Support Services

News Summary

The Refugee Dream Center in Providence is in jeopardy due to recent U.S. immigration policy changes, limiting its ability to support local refugees. Founded in 2015, the center has served around 15,000 refugees, but the indefinite suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program threatens its operations and core services. Community support is crucial as the center adapts to new challenges, with many refugees facing increased hardships.

Providence, Rhode Island Faces Uncertain Future for Refugee Support Services

The Refugee Dream Center in Providence, a crucial support organization for local refugees, is facing an uncertain future due to recent changes in U.S. immigration policies. Established in 2015 by Teddi Jallow, a refugee from The Gambia, the center has provided essential services to approximately 15,000 refugees over the past decade. With the indefinite suspension of the United States Refugee Admissions Program enacted in January 2025, the operations of the Refugee Dream Center are now in jeopardy, limiting the support it can offer to new arrivals and placing considerable strain on its resources.

The Refugee Dream Center focuses on various services that assist refugees during and after the initial ninety-day resettlement period. The center runs four primary programs: advocacy, training and mentoring, refugee resettlement, and integration services. Currently, the center serves over 4,000 individuals from different countries, including Afghanistan, Syria, Guatemala, and Venezuela. It conducts twenty weekly classes and assists with reception and placement processes, helping refugees find homes and acclimate to their new environment.

Impact of Policy Changes

The indefinite suspension of the refugee admissions program has forced the Refugee Dream Center to make difficult decisions, including laying off five staff members. This move directly affects a total of forty-nine individuals who depended on their support. Many refugees now face a climate of fear and anxiety regarding potential deportations, intensifying their struggle to establish financial security, with many working multiple jobs to survive.

Community support has become increasingly vital for the Refugee Dream Center, which relies heavily on monetary donations and volunteers to maintain its services. Despite ongoing assurances from Providence officials regarding their support for immigrant communities, there is a growing concern that more action is necessary to assist those impacted by federal policy shifts.

Services and Support

The Refugee Dream Center’s work extends beyond basic resettlement assistance; it plays a critical role in job orientation, health promotion, and addressing issues like domestic violence within refugee communities. The staff, who collectively speak twenty-one languages, possess a deep understanding of the culturally diverse backgrounds of the individuals they serve. This aspect enhances the effectiveness of the services provided and ensures that refugees receive relatable support from former refugees who are now caseworkers at the center.

The center also runs a youth mentoring program that pairs approximately fifty young refugees with mentors from the local community, aiming to bridge cultural gaps and foster relationships that can aid in their adjustment to life in the United States. However, even with these programs in place, refugees continue to require support beyond the initial three-month period. Continuous adjustment and cultural orientation are necessary to ease their transition into American society.

Broader Context and Challenges

Reports indicate a spike in the number of refugees arriving in Rhode Island, particularly from countries such as Venezuela, Congo, and Afghanistan. Though the overall numbers reflect an increase, this comes after significant reductions in refugee admissions during the Trump administration, leaving many organizations like the Refugee Dream Center struggling to adapt to an ever-changing landscape of support needs.

Teddi Jallow reflects on her journey from The Gambia to the United States, emphasizing the importance of community support in overcoming challenges faced by refugees. As uncertainty looms regarding future policies, the Refugee Dream Center remains committed to assisting those in need, although it recognizes that the path forward will be fraught with difficulties without renewed support from the community and policymakers.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

White Afrikaners Begin Their Refugee Journey in the U.S.
Federal Funding Cuts Impacting NPR and PBS in Rhode Island
Columbia Student and Activist Released from Immigration Detention

Additional Resources

• RIMonthly: Q&A with Teddi Jallow of the Refugee Dream Center
• Stacker: Where Refugees in Rhode Island Are Arriving
• Brown Daily Herald: RI Immigrants Fearful of Trump
• Boston Globe: RI Dorcas Immigrants Face Funding Freeze
• Providence Journal: Cambodian Refugee Family’s Thanksgiving