LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A new program in Louisville is hoping to help refugees and immigrants facing uncertain times.
Jewish Family and Career Services cut the ribbon on its new Refugee and Immigrant Services Program.
The space was near-capacity for Tuesday's ribbon-cutting, demonstrating the high level of interest.
The goal is to help connect refugees and immigrants to resources to help them thrive in the city.
Leaders said it comes at a time when these groups are now facing a heightened level of scrutiny.
"There's some anxiety in our community. There are people who are now afraid of going to church, they're afraid of going to work, and I think, certainly, there is an escalation of that in the past 24 hours," said Dr. David Fink, CEO of Jewish Family and Career Services, referring to new rules for Immigration and Customs Enforcement under President Donald Trump's new administration.
Part of that plan allows ICE agents to target migrants in places that were previously off limits. The move announced Tuesday reverses guidance that for over a decade has restricted two key federal immigration agencies from carrying out immigration enforcement in sensitive locations.
That included churches, schools, daycare centers, hospitals and other locations. Immigration advocates say that migrants in the country illegally might not go to the hospital in an emergency or take their kids to school if they’re fearful of deportation.
In a statement, Homeland Security officials said the Trump Administration trusts agents to use "common sense" with the new rules.
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