Spokane refugee aid groups lose federal contracts; status unclear for more than 400 fleeing danger and previously set to come to Inland NW

A nonprofit that assists refugees who come to the Spokane area to escape war, persecution and natural disasters has issued layoffs to all 15 members of its staff who assist the newly arrived.

The status of refugees who were expected in Spokane through the middle of the year is unclear.

World Relief Spokane confirmed on Friday that the administration of President Donald Trump canceled its contract to resettle refugees in the Inland Northwest despite a court ruling pausing Trump’s executive order halting the refugee process.

“Honestly, we don’t know anything beyond that, what’s going to happen,” World Relief Director Christi Armstrong said. “Does that mean permanently terminated? Does it mean terminated, and we’re going to think about something different? We have no idea.”

Read the full article at the Spokesman Review.