Piece written by Stephanie Clark, Director of Strategic Engagement
Lately, each day feels a bit heavier. I open my news apps not with anticipation, but with a quiet dread—because I already know what I’ll see. Another policy shift that reshapes lives. Another plea for humanitarian aid that goes unanswered. And most devastating of all: natural disasters that leave behind shattered communities, grieving families, and far too many lives lost.
Here in Illinois, two things happened recently that I can’t shake. They concern people we’ve welcomed into our community with the promise of support: refugees working to rebuild lives after unimaginable hardship. First, there was a freeze in federal funding from the Department of Education. While this impacts so many states and grades K-12 for many things, it is also impacting Adult Education programs (adults learning English). Locally, this means we do not have a planned $570,000 for the year for about 1,200 students who want to learn English. This funding was frozen the day the new school year of English classes launched as scheduled.
Meanwhile, a major bill passed in Congress with wide-reaching effects. One part focuses on SNAP benefits, with a stated goal of ensuring recipients are contributing to our economy. But here’s where the policy falls short: refugees and other immigrants without green cards are currently being denied access to those benefits even if they have employment. Not in six months, not with a grace period—right now.
These people who fled war and persecution, many of whom spent years in camps and underwent rigorous vetting, were invited to build a life here. Many have applied for green cards, but the approval process has slowed down and delays are being experienced. These same people are working full-time jobs in manufacturing and service industries, earning $16 to $17 an hour. That translates to around $33,000 to $35,000 annually before taxes—often with families to support, rent to pay, and little room for emergencies. Yet, they’re being left without a safety net to afford groceries, and the language classes that could help improve their wages have frozen funding.
It’s disheartening. And it’s frustrating.
But I hold tightly to hope. As Scripture reminds us, “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.” (2 Corinthians 4:8)
This is a moment to act—not out of anger, but from compassion, and a deep belief in the promise of creating belonging. I’m writing my local representatives, urging them to:
- Ensure continued food support for working refugees and immigrants, especially those already contributing to our economy.
I’m writing my federal representatives, asking them to:
- Unfreeze funding for Adult Education so people can learn English, increase their job prospects, and thrive.
- Stop the delays on green cards for refugees and asylees to keep legal pathways moving and meaningful support accessible.
People often ask: “Why don’t they come the legal way?” They have.
“Why don’t they learn English?” They’re trying.
“Why don’t they contribute?” They already are.
We have an opportunity to bridge gaps, reaffirm our values, and build solutions that reflect the best of who we are. Let’s meet this moment together.