State Leaders Address Refugee and Immigrant Integration Amid Federal Funding Cuts at IRC Summit
State and local officials convened at the International Rescue Committee's (IRC) annual 'States Lay the Foundation' summit to discuss new funding strategies for refugee and immigrant integration. This gathering comes as federal funding for refugee resettlement and integration is declining nationwide. Officials shared existing funding models, program strategies, and partnerships from their respective states and localities. The consensus among participants was that states are increasingly becoming the primary providers of services for refugee and immigrant integration, covering areas from healthcare access to workforce development. They cautioned that a lack of action could leave these communities without essential support, including food, housing, healthcare, and employment assistance. Examples of successful state-led initiatives were highlighted, such as Washington state's commitment of $44 million for state-funded food assistance and Maryland's State Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Refugees ... 
