Washington Needs a Refugee Floor

In 2015, Niloofar and her family fled Iran to Turkey, beginning an eight-year wait for resettlement. Life as a refugee in Turkey was difficult—poor conditions, community scrutiny, and an uncertain future. The wait felt endless.

Through it all, Niloofar says, the most important thing her family had was hope. Hope gave meaning to those long, unpredictable years in Turkey—promising that, eventually, they would have an opportunity to rebuild their lives and live free from the fear of persecution.

In 2023, that hope became reality. Niloofar’s family arrived in Seattle, welcomed by the Refugee Resettlement Office of the Diocese of Olympia (RRO). The RRO provided housing assistance, food assistance, and employment support for Niloofar’s first few months in the U.S., enabling Niloofar and her family to prosper in their new community. Niloofar has completed her bachelor’s and works at a local bank.

However, the Resettlement Office that welcomed Niloofar’s family cannot resettle refugees today—and they’re not alone.

Washington’s Refugee Program—the Program that fulfilled hope’s promises—is at risk of collapse.

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