February 20, 2026
Framingham, Massachusetts
###
Jewish Family Service of Metrowest (JFS) is deeply alarmed by the newly disclosed federal directive authorizing the arrest and detention of refugees who have been lawfully admitted to the United States but have not yet adjusted to lawful permanent resident status (green card holder). Here is the link to that memo.
Under this new policy, refugees who have been in the United States for one year may be required to return to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) custody for inspection and re‑screening. Those who do not voluntarily appear may be subject to arrest and detention for an undefined period of time—even though refugees cannot apply for lawful permanent residency until one year after arrival and often face government processing delays beyond their control.
Refugees are among the most thoroughly vetted individuals admitted to the United States. Many of the individuals and families served by JFS have fled violence, persecution, and instability and have spent years navigating extensive background checks and security clearances before arriving in communities like ours here in Metrowest. To now subject these same families to possible detention because of paperwork delays or administrative backlogs is destabilizing and risks inflicting further trauma on people who are rebuilding their lives in safety.
This directive comes at a time when refugee‑serving organizations nationwide—including those here in Massachusetts—are already facing significant federal funding cuts. JFS has experienced a $2 million reduction in federal support for our immigrant services programs, representing nearly 30% of our operating budget for this work. These cuts have already required us to reduce staffing and scale back access to legal assistance, case management, and stabilization supports that help families maintain compliance with complex immigration requirements.
In our region, immigrants and refugees are essential members of our workforce, our neighborhoods, and our caregiving systems. Many are home health aides supporting older adults aging in place—an issue JFS confronts daily as demographic pressures increase across Massachusetts. Policies that create fear, disrupt families, or place legally admitted refugees into detention jeopardize not only individual wellbeing but also the fragile care infrastructure upon which our aging community depends.
Jewish tradition teaches, “You shall not oppress the stranger, for you know the soul of the stranger” (Exodus 23:9). At JFS, this value is not abstract—it guides our work every day with immigrant neighbors who seek safety, stability, and the opportunity to contribute to the civic life of our Commonwealth.
At this moment of heightened uncertainty and diminished federal support, we are asking our community partners, donors, and neighbors to stand with us.
Philanthropic support and volunteer engagement are urgently needed to help ensure that legally admitted refugees and immigrant families in Metrowest can access legal guidance, maintain housing and food security, and remain connected to the services that allow them to live safely and contribute meaningfully to our shared community. Please click here and give to our Immigrant/Refugee/Asylee Assistance Fund today.
JFS will continue to convene regional partners through the Metrowest Immigrant Support Group to coordinate response; advocate for policies that protect due process and family unity; and work alongside state and local leaders to ensure that Massachusetts remains a place of protection and opportunity.
We call on federal policymakers to reconsider this directive and to ensure that our nation’s commitment to those fleeing persecution is not replaced by policies that generate fear and uncertainty among legally admitted refugees and the communities that welcome them.