PUBLIC STATEMENT FROM JFCS EAST BAY
Regarding Federal Announcement of a Review of Biden Era Refugee Admissions
December 3, 2025
JFCS East Bay is deeply concerned by reports that the federal government plans to conduct sweeping re-interviews and reviews of all refugees admitted to the United States between January 2021 and February 2025, including thousands of Afghan families who arrived after fleeing persecution. We are also deeply concerned by the indefinite halt on all asylum applications and Special Immigrant Visa applications, the review of all Afghan applications and petitions that have been approved since 2021 and the discriminatory review of green card approvals for refugees who come from 19 specific “travel ban” countries. These individuals, many of whom supported the U.S. mission in Afghanistan or were targeted for their gender, ethnicity, or human rights work, have already completed years of rigorous security screenings before being granted the chance to rebuild their lives in safety.
“Our clients have already endured war, loss, displacement, and years of intensive security vetting,” said Robin Mencher, CEO of JFCS East Bay. “They came here seeking safety, stability, to reunify with family members, and the opportunity to rebuild their lives. Any policy that jeopardizes that safety re-traumatizes families and undermines the fundamental humanitarian commitments that define the U.S Refugee Admissions program. We stand with our Afghan neighbors and all refugees who call the East Bay home.”
Our Afghan clients are teachers, interpreters, parents, students, caregivers, and community members who have worked tirelessly to establish stability here in the East Bay. They are raising children, attending school, securing employment, and contributing in countless ways to the vibrancy of our region. The possibility of being summoned for new interviews or facing delays in their green card processing has created renewed fear and re-traumatization for families who believed they had finally found durable protection.
“We hear the fear and exhaustion in our clients’ voices,” said Fouzia Azizi, Director of Refugee Services at JFCS East Bay. “Afghan families have already survived unimaginable hardship. For them to face the threat of being uprooted again is deeply destabilizing. Our commitment is unwavering. We will walk with them through this uncertainty and ensure they are not alone as they navigate yet another challenge.”
We are especially alarmed that the proposed policy does not offer a right to appeal if a refugee is later determined to have been wrongly admitted. Such uncertainty threatens family unity, undermines the ability of refugees to plan for their futures, and contradicts the humanitarian values that guide our nation’s refugee program.
“Our clients were part of the Operation Allies Welcome and have already submitted to intensive security screening and have been vetted through all of the required channels. A terrible action by one person should not be used to punish and demonize the entire Afghan community,” said Reena Arya, Director of Immigration and Legal Services at JFCS East Bay.
JFCS East Bay stands firmly with all refugees and immigrants in our community. We call on federal leaders to uphold the integrity of the refugee resettlement program, honor longstanding humanitarian commitments, and avoid actions that retraumatize individuals who have already survived war, displacement, and exhaustive vetting. Any review process must be transparent, fair, and grounded in due process and human dignity.
Our agency remains committed to supporting affected community members through legal services, case management, mental health care, and essential resources. We will continue to advocate vigorously for the safety, stability, and rights of our Afghan neighbors and all refugees who call the East Bay home. We will continue to help our community flourish with dignity, no matter the challenges ahead.
Community members seeking assistance or legal guidance are encouraged to contact JFCS East Bay’s Immigration Legal Services or Refugee Services team. We are here for you.
