International Center of Kentucky faces new obstacles

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Hundreds of refugees relocate to Kentucky each year, and many are placed in Bowling Green. Current White House policy could mean that less refugees are able to start a new life in Warren County.

The International Center of Kentucky relocated 305 people last year. That number is expected to dwindle as the Bowling Green-based refugee resettlement agency faces new obstacles.

“Our fear is that the other agencies that are in charge of processing the refugees that are overseas to come into the country may deliberately slow down the process,” said Albert Mbanfu, Executive Director at the International Center of Kentucky in Bowling Green.

The national ceiling for refugee resettlement this fiscal year has be set at 30,000, which is down from last years cap of 45,000 refugees. This despite a burgeoning global refugee crisis.

“Refugees are there in very desperate and precarious situations, but the authorities are not processing them. We don’t have enough people to do the processing overseas,” said Mbanfu.

The African International Market is owned and operated by refugees in Bowling Green. The owner and his family are from The Democratic Republic of Congo and were able to relocate with the help of the International Center of Kentucky.

“They supported me when I just came here, and they still support me, and this is why I feel good,” said Faustine Kaganada owner at African International Market.

Refugees like Faustine contribute to the economic and social growth of the community in many ways.

“Many of these refugees have bought homes, they’ve opened grocery stores and they are paying taxes here in Bowling Green,” said Mbanfu.

While the International Refugee Center will be able to continue its work this year, the future of their work is still uncertain.