Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska Eliminates 15 Refugee Resettlement Positions

On Wednesday, February 15, 2017, the largest refugee resettlement organization in Nebraska, Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska (LFS; www.LFSneb.org), gave notice of the elimination of 15 employee positions in the organization’s 90-day federally funded refugee resettlement program in Omaha and Lincoln. Seven employees were reassigned or offered vacant positions within other programs of the organization.

The President’s Executive Order, “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States” issued January 27, 2017 reduced the number of refugees to be resettled in the U.S. from 110,000 to 50,000 during federal fiscal year 2017 (October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017). By March 3, 2017 it is estimated that 39,000 refugees of the 50,000 will already have been resettled. The Executive Order also halted refugee resettlement to the U.S. for 120 days. During the halt in arrivals, LFS will focus on strengthening its post-90-day services to refugees who already call Nebraska home. At the LFS International Center of the Heartland (ICH) in Omaha, refugees are served no matter how long they have lived in Nebraska.

Businesses and organizations interested in hiring affected staff – some of whom are refugees – are encouraged to contact the LFS Human Resources Department at (402) 978-5665 to connect with potential candidates.

Members of the community can support the ICH in Omaha or post-90-day services in Lincoln by making a donation at www.LFSneb.org or signing up to volunteer via email at WelcomeRefugees@LFSneb.org.