[Episcopal News Service] Episcopal Migration Ministries – the refugee resettlement programme of the US-based Episcopal Church – is to cut its 31-member affiliate network by six next year. The move is because of changes in US immigration policy which will reduce the number of refugees resettling in the USA by more than half.

EMM’s Director, the Revd Canon Mark Stevenson said: “It’s painful; it’s horrible, but we hope – we pray – that we have made the right decisions for the health of the overall network and for the well-being of the refugees. That is our number one concern.

 “We are disappointed that we need to take these steps,” he added, “but the current situation leaves us no choice. We have reduced our national core staff by 22% due to funding cuts and we are now looking at a similar cut in our network of affiliate partners through which refugees are resettled.

EMM is one of nine national agencies in the US responsible for resettling refugees in partnership with the government. Last year it helped more than 5,700 people from 35 countries build new lives in the United States.

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