Caught in Limbo: Refugee Families Face Losing Food and Health Care

Omar Mohamed, director of the refugee resettlement program at Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan (LSS), is on the front lines of a growing crisis facing Milwaukee’s refugee community. As new federal policy changes strip food and health benefits from thousands of legal immigrants, Mohamed is fielding urgent questions from families he can’t easily answer—many of whom were resettled by LSS and are now caught in bureaucratic limbo.

LSS helped these families rebuild their lives in the U.S., with many working and striving for stability. But with green card processing delays leaving refugees without permanent status, they now face losing critical support like FoodShare and Medicaid. Mohamed warns the cuts will leave vulnerable families without basic necessities, placing even greater strain on nonprofits like his that are racing to fill the gap and uphold the promise of resettlement.

As these changes take effect, LSS is working to ensure families are not left without support.

Read the full story from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (subscription may be required).