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This January, the unthinkable happened to families we know and love.
Immigrants who had come to the United States legally and been thoroughly vetted were suddenly detained in Minnesota during Operation Metro Surge.
Launched weeks later, Operation PARRIS involved re-vetting refugees. Dozens of refugees, including children, were detained in Minnesota.
Federal immigration agents, some dressed in plain clothes, lured refugees out of their homes. They transported them to holding facilities before transferring many out of the state.
The escalation threatened hundreds of thousands of refugee and immigrant families in the U.S., including over 17,000 refugees served by World Relief.
And then, supporters like you stepped in.
You prayed. You advocated. You cooked for our staff. You checked in on refugee and immigrant families. You believed they should stay, and stay together. And, you gave.
Thanks to the unwavering support and generosity of people like you:
- 1,255 refugees received legal help to protect their status.
- 641 individuals received trauma-informed care and a path back to stability.
- 375 people were equipped with “Know Your Rights” training.
- 245 refugee clients were paired with 190 dedicated volunteer mentors.
- 143 churches across the U.S. received help through volunteer engagement, mobilization or direct assistance.
This World Refugee Awareness Month, we honor the resilience of refugee and immigrant families, who choose courage every day for the sake of those they love. And we honor our staff, volunteers and partners like Arrive Ministries, who show up every day for them.
Their World Shrank to Their Apartment
A federal court stepped in during March 2026, pausing the arrest and detention of refugees nationwide while litigation continues. But refugees are still receiving call-in letters and facing re-interviews about their original claims.
The situation remains active, uncertain and deeply personal for the families we serve.
World Relief’s affiliate organization Arrive Ministries found itself in the eye of the storm during Operation PARRIS in Minnesota, and continues to witness fear among families.
At first, they thought the re-vetting, the detentions stemmed from a mistake. But it quickly became clear that it was no mistake — it was intentional, targeted action.
Refugees began sheltering in place, but that had ripple effects.
“By default, if you’re sheltering at home, that means you’re not going to work. That means you’re not earning a living. That means you’re not sending your children to school. That means you’re not going to doctor’s appointments. That means you’re not going to get your groceries or pick up your medications or go to therapy, [or] go to English class,” said Ruth LePage, Director of Refugee Services at Arrive Ministries. “Your world shrinks to your tiny apartment.”
You kept six families in their homes. When sheltering in place meant breadwinners lost their jobs, your gift covered the rent so Arrive Ministries could focus on what came next.
Not having to worry about the roof over their heads meant these families could focus on other important aspects such as remote school for their kids and navigating their immigration process. They could breathe a little easier.
The Fear is Real
The fear is still palpable.
Refugees are now asking “what will this re-interview mean for my family? Will I ever be able to reunify with my child or my sibling who’s overseas and is now on the travel ban list? Will my children be able to grow up here?,” observed Ruth.
“These are questions that our families were not thinking of before January. They were thinking how much more do I need to save to purchase that car? My child graduates next year. I want to get a job upgrade. I want to attend that home ownership class,” she said.
These are individuals who were forced to flee their homes because of war, violence and persecution, who thought they could rebuild their lives in safety.
It was faith that bred trust in this atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. The families knew they could rely on the care of trusted staff and volunteers — individuals who view them with the eyes of Jesus.
We Are Compelled by Faith to Respond
Today, as the re-vetting of refugees continues, so does the work of World Relief’s local offices and affiliates like Arrive Ministries.
The support of compassionate people like you equips our teams to respond with both urgency and compassion. Alongside you, we’re focusing on:
- A path to trusted legal help: Your gift funds the legal help that protects due process and family unity. This includes green card applications, re-interview prep and “Know Your Rights” training that lets families face the next letter with a plan instead of panic.
- A way through the distress: You make trauma-informed care possible. Your generosity provides case management, crisis assessment, family safety planning and the steady presence that helps a shaken family feel safe again.
- Someone who shows up: Your partnership pairs trained volunteers with families who need a hand and a friend — people who approach with the eyes of Jesus.
- A roof and a meal: When detention or lost income hits, you provide the emergency rent, food and cash that keep a family housed.
We believe families should stay together and that those welcomed here in good faith deserve stability, dignity and due process. That conviction drives this work and your partnership is what makes it possible.
Will you continue to stand with us?