LSI warns federal pause in refugee resettlement is straining local providers; council offers to help advocate

Lutheran Services in Iowa told the Waterloo City Council that a federal pause in the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program is disrupting local resettlement services and leaving some recently arrived families at risk of homelessness.

"It is our country's best and most secure legal immigration pathway," Nick Wertz, director for immigrant and refugee community services at LSI, said of the federal program, describing how the Department of State partners with local organizations to place refugees and provide initial housing and services. He said the program in Waterloo resumed in 2023 and that LSI welcomed its first families in July 2024; since then LSI reported it has helped 93 individuals from Afghanistan, Syria, Venezuela and other countries.

Wertz told the council that an executive order affecting resettlement services had been signed on Jan. 20 and that the pause has interrupted federal reimbursements the agency depends on. "We are now at risk because of lack of federal reimbursement of families becoming homeless and not getting into the workforce as we normally would help them do so," he said, urging the council to contact federally elected officials to press for reimbursement.

Council members and city staff thanked LSI and described Waterloo's history of welcoming immigrant communities. Councilwoman (recorded in minutes as) Greatensma said the city should "continue to lead by example" and work with the Human Rights Commission and local partners to keep services available. The mayor asked staff to provide council contact information and to arrange follow-up meetings.

Two LSI-affiliated speakers provided contact details and offered to share materials the council requested; the council asked staff to circulate those materials and to schedule updates so council members can better direct constituents seeking services.