Executive order indefinitely suspends Refugee Resettlement program

SALT LAKE CITY — One of President Trump's first executive orders has placed a halt on many refugees bound for the United States. Here in Utah, dozens of refugees who were preparing to make the state their new home are now left in limbo.

The refugees affected by this change were scheduled to arrive through Catholic Community Services. These individuals, from countries like Congo, Somalia, and Afghanistan, were set to begin new lives in Utah. But as of Wednesday, their flights were canceled.

While one family was expected to arrive Wednesday night, further arrivals were on hold until approval came from the White House.

Aden Batar, a Somali refugee resettled in the United States in the early 1990s through CCS, now works for the organization. Reflecting on his experience, he shared the challenges and hope refugees face.

"The people in the community welcomed us really great," Batar recalled. "Where we came from, it was in the middle of a civil war, and people were killing each other for no reason."

Batar explained that many refugees scheduled to arrive in Utah from Afghanistan worked alongside U.S. forces during the war. Since their evacuation four years ago, they have been living in refugee camps on a military base in Qatar, awaiting a chance to start anew in America.

Stephanie Mortenson, a CCS volunteer who works with refugee youth, said there is a profound impact that welcoming these families has on the community.

"It truly builds our community," Mortenson said. "It's always so humbling because they are so resilient."

However, President Trump's executive order has left families and volunteers disheartened. For Batar, the decision is deeply personal.

"This difficulty, where our leaders are stopping refugees from coming, it's really heartbreaking," he said.

For now, these families remain in limbo, hoping for a resolution that will allow them to begin their new lives in safety and peace.

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