Press & Media 

Commonwealth Catholic Charities, based in the greater Richmond region, Newport News and Roanoke, had its refugee resettlement program funding frozen by the Trump administration. 

The funding freeze resulted in layoffs and reduced services for refugees. CCC continues to provide limited services, but the future of the program is uncertain. 

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - President Donald Trump’s new travel ban is triggering many questions and concerns from those who work with people who may be impacted.

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“The biggest concern is that it will impact individuals from Afghanistan, specifically individuals who are here on a special immigrant visa or are waiting for a special immigrant visa,” Katie Dillion with Commonwealth Catholic Charities said.

Concern is now growing among immigrant communities and their advocates after President Trump announced a ban on 19 countries, blocking or restricting access to U.S visas for millions of people around the world.

“Those are the individuals who worked with our military for the last 20-something years in Afghanistan, and so we promised them that we could keep them safe and that they would have access to come into the United States,” Dillon said.

(OSV News) — Mission is at the heart of Caroline Stanfill’s life. Among her many jobs, she’s worked in special education; for religious sisters; within the diocesan office of social ministries; and as a hospice chaplain. So after years of discernment, she decided to become a foster parent.

“We are all one family and we are our brother’s keeper,” Stanfill told OSV News. “My faith and my understanding of God’s love is what led me to want to be a parent in any sense of the word.”

Stanfill is one of many Catholics across the country working with agencies like Catholic Charities to become foster parents.

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The U.S. refugee resettlement program often engages faith-based organizations in this effort, and for 15 years, Commonwealth Catholic Charities (CCC), a Richmond-based nonprofit, has provided resettlement services in Virginia.

That transition to a productive life in America was imperiled when the new administration abruptly ended the program and stopped payment to organizations like CCC. Losing reimbursement for expenses incurred before the order essentially abandons the 378 refugees whom the U.S. brought to Virginia and sent to CCC with the assurance that they would be supported so they could become an asset, not a burden, to the commonwealth.

Cliona Robb, chair of the CCC Richmond Advisory Committee

A major refugee resettlement program serving Richmond has indefinitely shut down after President Trump froze funding for a federal refugee program.

Why it matters: Thousands of refugees across Virginia, including over 900 kids, rely on that program for help with housing and food.

Refugees living in Roanoke are facing an increasingly unstable future in the wake of federal funding cuts and executive orders.

Commonwealth Catholic Charities, a nonprofit authorized by the government to help resettle refugees, has laid off 26 employees in Virginia, including eight in Roanoke.

“It’s heartbreaking,” said Samjana Dahal, resettlement program supervisor in Roanoke. “It’s very difficult trying to meet the needs of our clients with limited staff.”

Azizgul Ahmadi was devastated when her long-awaited reunion with her parents was canceled. 

After almost four years apart, Ahmadi, a former member of the Afghan military, learned in October last year that her parents were finally cleared to enter the United States and join her in Blacksburg.

She says her father received correspondence from a U.S. Department of State official to prepare for a flight to the U.S., then the next day, her father, still in Afghanistan, learned that his immigration plans were canceled.

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Commonwealth Catholic Charities (CCC), in Virginia, has been providing supportive housing services since 2004 and housing and financial counseling services since 2010, according to Katie Dillon, the communications manager. “We believe that housing is a human right, and we are committed to assisting those who are experiencing homelessness or on the verge of homelessness find safe, stable, long-term solutions,” Dillon said. The services provided by Commonwealth Catholic Charities are open to anyone, regardless of faith, not just Catholics.

ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - Baby Donyelle is clearly a daddy’s girl. She’s a huge blessing to her mom, as well.

“You love them like you had them yourself, like they’re of your blood. I often forget that we even adopted her. Everyone says that she looks look us, she acts like us. I mean, it just feels like she came from us,” says adoptive mom Shara Terry.

Don and Shara Terry adopted Donyelle, bringing her home when she was only a day and a half old.

Recently, she celebrated her first birthday.

She’s a sweet gift to her parents, after a series of devastating losses.

Abdul and his family were packed and ready to go. For two years, they had waited to be granted refugee status, and would finally be on a U.S.-bound plane, leaving their old life in Afghanistan behind. But three days before their August 2021 flight was scheduled to depart, Kabul fell once again to the Taliban. For now, the family wasn’t going anywhere.

The asylum application process can take years. Eight different international agencies conduct thorough background, medical, and security checks. There are interviews by multiple people who analyze every facet of an applicant’s life. Only 1% of applicants pass these rigorous tests and are granted asylum.

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — New travel restrictions put in place by President Donald Trump have concerned Virginia-based organizations that focus on reunifying and resettling immigrants and refugees.

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"We are still working to understand the full impact this ban will have on CCC, our programs, and those we serve. But we are saddened by the news.

The United States is a country of immigrants. Our legacy is one of welcoming those seeking safety and shelter. Refugees and immigrants are vital to the strength of our communities—they enrich our culture and make invaluable contributions to our economy.

At CCC, we remain committed to standing with our immigrant and refugee neighbors and to continuing our work in building a more inclusive and compassionate community.” - Katie Dillon, Communications Manager, Commonwealth Catholic Charities

“It’s not easy to come here and just enjoy it.”

After evacuating Afghanistan in 2021, Abdullah Zarify has made a life for himself in Richmond. He spends most of his time running his own market to support his wife and three children. He’s even made friends playing in a regional cricket league.

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. — Rabiul Alam says he loves everything about America, the country he thought he'd never call home.

"I'm from Burma, originally," Alam said Tuesday, speaking with CBS 6 near his home in Midlothian.

Before turning 10 years old, Alam said warfare in his home country displaced his family.

He was forced to leave them, taking a perilous journey overseas in a boat alone among more than 400 strangers looking to flee to safety.

By Jay Brown, CCC CEO

Commonwealth Catholic Charities (CCC) has partnered with the government for over 15 years to welcome new Americans through the United States Refugee Admissions program. Despite evidence that refugee arrivals provide significant economic returns and no threat to public safety, the Refugee Admissions program was abruptly halted on January 20. 

Commonwealth Catholic Charities, a faith-based nonprofit that works with immigrant and refugee populations in Hampton Roads, Richmond and Roanoke, laid off 26 people and ceased a refugee resettlement program in the wake of sweeping federal cuts and executive orders.

The organization has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on things such as direct support and rental assistance for refugees that will not be reimbursed by the federal government, and must now rely more heavily on donations to assist families who have already relocated to Virginia.

Faith communities across the U.S. view developments on their vacant properties as a way to bring in revenue and address the affordable housing crunch in their neighborhoods. But it’s not easy to do, even when elected officials seem eager to help.

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One project she said has been successful in addressing neighbors’ concerns is that of St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church in the Highland Park area of Richmond, the state capital. The 56 affordable homes in the development will be divided among 14 fourplexes, with an architectural style that mimics that of the American Foursquare houses common in the area.

On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, parishes throughout the Diocese will take up a special second collection to support the life-changing work of Catholic Charities. In the Diocese of Richmond, there are two Catholic Charities agencies: Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia, and Commonwealth Catholic Charities. Both agencies impact many lives and communities every day. Their mission expresses this love and joyful hope through volunteers, staff, and board members, by providing food, clothing, shelter, guidance, and support for individuals and families on their way to a brighter future.

When I found out I was pregnant, I decided that adoption was the best option for my baby. I had to be selfless and think of what was right, not just what I wanted. I wasn’t financially stable (and truthfully, I’m still not), nor was I ready to raise a child. I chose an adoption agency, found a family in California, where I’m originally from, and even spoke on the phone with them.

On my birthday, one month before my due date, I learned that the family had backed out. Now, looking back, I’m glad they did because that’s how I found Commonwealth Catholic Charities (CCC) and my baby’s adoptive family.

Relief efforts are underway after parts of southwestern Virginia were hit hard by Helene. One of the organizations working to assist with recovery efforts is Commonwealth Catholic Charities (CCC).

“Our hearts go out to every person who is suffering during this difficult time,” said CCC spokeswoman Katie Dillon.

She explained that staff from around the state are pitching in to help. The Norton staff was on-site quickly and has now been joined by additional staff members from Richmond and Roanoke.