Chicago’s Largest Refugee Resettlement Agency | Est. 1982

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FAQs Regarding SNAP Cuts, Re-vetting Refugees, and More

Updated May 22, 2026

How are SNAP cuts affecting refugees?

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) cuts have begun for RefugeeOne program participants, with more to come, as eligibility changes for non-citizens take effect. 

Refugees who don’t yet hold a Green Card lost access to SNAP due to a federal government law commonly known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” 

Refugees welcomed through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program arrive with the immediate right to lawfully live and work, then are automatically eligible to apply for Green Cards one year after arrival. It often takes at least another year for an application to process; however, Green Card processing is currently paused for refugees. 

We expect hundreds of RefugeeOne households to be impacted at some level by this loss of federal food assistance. It hurts families with children the most. It’s virtually impossible to stretch a minimum wage paycheck to cover rent plus other rising expenses, then still have enough money to feed your kids each day. 

RefugeeOne is in touch with families to see how they’re impacted and adjusting, working on budgeting efforts with them, sharing information on food banks with culturally appropriate options, and offering emergency assistance for critical needs. 

Unfortunately, we know these efforts to cope with the change aren’t nearly enough to replace this vital government program. The most sustainable fix for food insecurity must come at a higher level through public policy. 

See below to learn how you can help fulfill emergency needs and advocate for policy change.

How can I help refugees who are losing SNAP?

Your dollars make a difference. You can donate to our Refugee Assistance Fund, which provides rent or food assistance to families in a tough spot. 

Other opportunities to fill tangible needs: 

  • Purchase other household necessities through our Amazon Wish List so families with tight budgets have a little more room 
  • Organize a diaper drive so newcomer families with young children can provide for their kids without worry
  • Give grocery gift cards for distribution to refugees in immediate need (Aldi, Jewel, Cermak, or Patel Brothers on Devon preferred)
  • Find details about these opportunities at refugeeone.org/donate-stuff

If you’re working as a volunteer with a family who is facing food insecurity, they can contact their case manager for support, or you can email volunteer@refugeeone.org with questions. We recommend becoming familiar with local food resource programs and accompanying your refugee partner to the distribution site if you’re able! Find information on available food programs here: 

Advocate for hungry families. Tell your state lawmakers to protect food assistance for newcomers using this tool from our national partner, CWS.

What’s the latest on federal plans to re-interview resettled refugees?

A February 18 memo from U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) outlined guidance to arrest, detain, and re-interview all refugees who have lived in the U.S. for at least one year and have not yet adjusted to lawful permanent resident status (i.e. received a Green Card).  The arrests have been halted by the courts, but re-interviews have started in a few states. There are no reports of re-interviews yet in Illinois.

However, RefugeeOne is preparing for the eventuality. Approximately 2,200 refugees we have welcomed to Chicago may be asked to attend a re-interview.

We’re holding multiple workshops in more than a dozen languages to focus on interview preparation, safety and preparedness information, resource sharing, and document gathering.

During the re-interviews, immigration officers are reviewing refugees’ initial cases that qualified them for refugee status and resettlement to the U.S. RefugeeOne believes this cruel and unnecessary step destabilizes and re-traumatizes individuals who already went through rigorous vetting prior to their welcome to the U.S. 

Is the travel ban still in place? What about pauses on immigration processing for things like visas, citizenship, and Green Cards?

In December, the Trump administration announced an expanded travel ban, which more than doubled the number of countries whose citizens are partially or fully blocked from entry into the U.S. The administration also suspended immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, and added new restrictions targeting refugees and immigrants already in the United States, including: 

RefugeeOne continues to assist eligible clients with Green Card applications with the hope that processing will resume. 

Several naturalization interviews and oath ceremonies have been cancelled for RefugeeOne clients because of their country of origin. Our Immigration Program is working closely with individuals to track their cases, navigate pathways forward, and remain ready for their final steps in the long journey to become a citizen. 

With new arrivals drastically cut, who is RefugeeOne serving right now?

RefugeeOne continues to serve thousands of refugees on their way to becoming self-sufficient community members in Chicago—helping them earn a paycheck, improve their English, succeed in school, work through trauma, build community, and become citizens. 

It takes time to rebuild a life, and now we’re able to work with some program participants longer to help advance skills or build new ones. 

We’re also still seeing new faces! We’ve enrolled more than 330 new program participants since January 20, 2025. They include new arrival Afghan Allies who hold Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs), referrals from other agencies that have closed, and refugees who were resettled in other states but recently moved to Chicago. 

How is the presence of ICE in Chicago affecting RefugeeOne?

Witnessing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids has raised anxiety levels among RefugeeOne program participants across the board. These scenes remind some refugees of the authoritarian regimes they fled in their home countries—a distressing reality for many. Requests for RefugeeOne Wellness Program support have increased, and staff are trying to create safe spaces to help cope with the stress of this moment. 

The majority of RefugeeOne program participants have been admitted through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, meaning they have lawful, permanent status and should not be at risk of deportation.

RefugeeOne has been disseminating Know Your Rights information among clients and recommending documentation newcomers can carry as proof of status. We have a protection protocol in place in case ICE were to visit our office. 

How can I get involved with RefugeeOne?

In an age of increased hostility towards newcomers, your support makes a difference! 

Volunteer 

  • Work one-on-one with newcomers as a mentor or tutor. Help an adult refugee practice English, explore Chicago, and feel connected in their new home, or help a refugee student succeed academically.

Advocate 

Donate 

  • Organize a collection in your community to stock the shelves at RefugeeOne, so we can provide items when someone shows up with a pressing need. Learn more. 
  • Your monetary donations help refugees keep stable housing, learn English, find jobs, overcome trauma, build community, and succeed in school. Give now.

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