PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) — Hundreds of nonprofits across the country learned that their immigration and citizenship grants were being canceled, including a group that helps refugees and immigrants in Oregon.
In late March, the Department of Homeland Security notified nonprofits that their U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services grants were being terminated. KOIN 6 News got access to that email, saying, “DHS has determined that the scope of work performed under this award no longer effectuates the program goals and the Department’s priorities.”
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In the case of Ecumenical Ministries Oregon , the grant was for $300,000 every two years. It went towards helping refugees and immigrants with green cards on their path to citizenship. Chris Eves, Director of Immigrant and Refugee Ministries, said this grant gave people access to resources they would not otherwise have.
“This is supporting multiple staff to be able to offer ESL classes, to coordinate education around civics and how to take the citizenship test and doing it in rural areas, and Woodburn and Hood River and Hillsboro,” he said…