DES MOINES, Iowa [WHO-TV]  — Lutheran Services in Iowa is cutting their resettlement program and 28 employees due to an unpaid $1.5 million in government funding. Following President Trump’s executive order ending refugee travel and cutting funding to resettlement programs, LSI continued the work. LSI welcomed more than 100 refugees in late December and was determined to complete their 90 days of resettlement assistance.

Lutheran Services in Iowa is a non-profit organization which receives government reimbursement for the work they do. LSI says they haven’t been reimbursed for the past several months of work. According to LSI CEO & President Renee Hardman, LSI hasn’t been reimbursed for services that were rendered late October, November, December and early January. Those services amount to about $1.5 million, but the work employees do contines, with the costs continuing as well.

Following the completion of the last 90-day resettlement period at the end of April, 28 employees and the resettlement program are being cut. Hardman says this was done to make sure the organization could continue with other projects. LSI will continue other refugee programs such educational services, childcare, Global Greens, and career pathway assistance.

Hardman says that helping refugees get through their first 90 days isn’t all it takes, she says if refugee programs continue to struggle and close, refugees will have a tough time acclimating. In response to this and other changes, LSI is hosting a virtual townhall to update the community. On Thursday, March 13 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., people can tune in for a discussion on organization changes, challenges LSI is facing, and a questions and answer session.