Refugee Support Center Navigates New Federal Challenges
In a time of uncertainty earlier this year, the Northern Nevada International Center (NNIC) faced significant challenges when essential federal funds were delayed, forcing them to reduce staff. The arrival of these funds has now allowed them to resume their critical work with refugee families in the area. For more details on the funding crisis, visit this report.
The center is now adapting to a new federal directive. The U.S. has capped refugee admissions at 7,500 annually, with a substantial number of these spots allocated for white South Africans, predominantly Afrikaners.
Carina Black, the executive director of NNIC, revealed the tough decision her team faced. “Basically the government told us that you either resettle South Africans or you shut down,” Black explained. “And my team said, look, we are supporting so many clients who need our help, and we need to look at them as individuals.”
Despite disagreeing with the policy, Black highlighted that welcoming these new arrivals enables the center to uphold its mission of aiding as many individuals as possible, including the refugees currently residing in Reno.
The first families from the Afrikaner community are anticipated to arrive in Reno by December.
