Two Months After Trump’s Funding Cuts, a Nonprofit Struggles to Support Refugees and Itself

Max Rykov, a refugee resettlement agency director, received an ominous order to halt all State Department-funded work. This resulted in the Nashville International Center for Empowerment (NICE) laying off staff and struggling to support refugees. Rykov's personal experience as a refugee fueled his determination to help. He and his family fled the former USSR in 1993, experiencing initial isolation before finding support in Birmingham, Alabama. His resettlement journey shaped his dedication to assisting others. The Trump administration's cuts to the refugee program created immense hardship for refugees and resettlement agencies. Agencies like NICE and the US Conference of Catholic Bishops faced layoffs and closures. A federal judge initially ordered the restoration of funds, but the administration appealed and canceled contracts. This left resettlement agencies scrambling to maintain services, facing a humanitarian crisis. Despite setbacks, Rykov and his colleagues tirelessly sought donations and volunteer support to aid affected refugees. The situation highlights the vulnerability of refugees and the complex legal battles surrounding resettlement funding.