California is 'ground zero' for refugee resettlement efforts amid immigration crackdown

Beth Oppenheim of HIAS discusses how refugee resettlement has been impacted under the Trump administration

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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As the Trump administration continues its crackdown on immigration, Beth Oppenheim of the global refugee resettlement organization HIAS discusses how refugee resettlement efforts have been drastically impacted, with California serving as "ground zero" for these changes. Oppenheim explains how HIAS has had to adapt its work, including ramping up advocacy and litigation to challenge the administration's policies, while still working to serve refugee communities across the state.

Why it matters

California has historically been a major hub for refugee resettlement, with HIAS and its local partners playing a critical role in welcoming and supporting new arrivals. However, the Trump administration's policies have put these efforts in jeopardy, raising concerns about the fate of vulnerable populations seeking refuge and the broader implications for California's diverse communities.

The details

HIAS, one of the largest refugee aid agencies in the world, has four affiliate offices across California, including in San Diego. The organization has been an implementing partner of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program for decades, but has faced funding cuts and policy changes under the Trump administration. While HIAS' core work of providing legal services, job placement, and other integration support for refugees has remained the same, the group has had to ramp up advocacy and litigation to challenge the administration's actions, including a landmark lawsuit filed in February 2025 to contest the refugee resettlement ban.

  • The Trump administration ended a refugee pathway for Iranian religious minorities in 2025, during the ongoing war in Iran.
  • HIAS filed a lawsuit in February 2025 challenging the refugee resettlement ban.

The players

Beth Oppenheim

The CEO of HIAS, a global refugee resettlement organization.

HIAS

A national and international refugee aid organization that has been an implementing partner of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program for decades.

Jewish Family Services in San Diego

A local affiliate office of HIAS and a strong partner in welcoming refugees to the San Diego community.

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What they’re saying

“We represent the boots on the ground, as you say, the local community organizations doing the work, meeting with people, serving people where they are and linking that to the broader discussions of immigration, refugee resettlement, both at the national and the global level.”

— Beth Oppenheim, CEO, HIAS (nbcsandiego.com)

“California has played an incredibly important role in making sure that people are still receiving the services that they need.”

— Beth Oppenheim, CEO, HIAS (nbcsandiego.com)

What’s next

HIAS plans to continue its legal challenges to the Trump administration's refugee policies, including a case related to the re-interviewing of refugees already admitted to the U.S.

The takeaway

While the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration has made refugee resettlement a more partisan issue, California remains a hub for these efforts, with HIAS and its local partners working tirelessly to support vulnerable populations and uphold the values of compassion and community that have long defined the state's approach to newcomers.