CHARLEROI, Pa. — “If they were to send all of these immigrants back, this town would be terrible,” a Charleroi native told Channel 11 today.
He’s referring to one of the executive orders that President Donald Trump signed on his first day of office — where he mentions Charleroi by name, saying that the city has seen a significant influx of immigrants over the last four years.
Therefore, the President is suspending the United States Refugee Admissions Program — meaning the government will no longer allow refugees into the US.
In fact, the refugee admissions page of the US Department of State is already down.
“100% of refugees are on the pathway to citizenship,” Sloane Davidson, the Founder and CEO of Hello, Neighbor, told Channel 11.
Davidson says this order directly impacts their ability to help immigrants resettle in Pittsburgh.
“We have families in Pittsburgh that were anxiously awaiting the arrival of their family members, and all of that is all paused. It’s just incredibly sad for them to see the end coming so close and have it torn away,” Davidson added.
Hello, Neighbor also has federal contracts to help with funding, and that is all paused, effective today.
“This administration told us what they were planning to do, and to actually see it on paper is very disheartening…even if we knew it was coming,” she added.
Davidson was aware of the President specifically mentioning Charleroi in his executive order.
“It is really unfortunate that the President, who has never stepped foot in Charleroi, who has no connection to Charleroi has chosen to put [the city]in the same category as Springfield, Ohio and other places,” she said.
The order states that President Trump will determine if the program resumes — if its in the interest of the country.
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