RAICES Announces Major Layoffs Amid Funding Cuts
The Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES), a prominent nonprofit based in San Antonio, Texas, has reported significant staff reductions, laying off 159 employees last week. This decision follows an earlier announcement of 61 layoffs in February, resulting in a total of over 200 job losses within a span of two months.
Reasons Behind the Layoffs
RAICES stated that the layoffs are directly tied to the elimination of federal funding aimed at providing legal representation for unaccompanied children. In a recent communication, RAICES CEO Dolores Schroeder emphasized the impact of federal funding freezes initiated under the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
“The degree by which we are targeted was made clear on March 21 when RAICES learned of a Notice of Partial Termination for the Government’s Convenience, impacting our Unaccompanied Children’s Services, including legal screenings and representation,” said Schroeder.
Impact on Services
Founded in 1986, RAICES has been instrumental in offering low-cost legal services to immigrants, including asylum seekers and individuals facing deportation risks. Despite the layoffs, the organization will continue its legal services until the end of September and assist in transitioning clients to other legal representatives in Texas.
Recent immigration enforcement actions in San Antonio have raised concerns, with the city identified as a primary target for arrests and deportations. RAICES has played a critical role in protecting vulnerable immigrant communities amidst this evolving landscape.
Details of the Layoff Notification
According to a filing with the Texas Workforce Commission, RAICES provided official notice of the layoffs on April 2. The layoffs impacted a variety of positions, including:
- 36 senior legal assistants
- 36 legal assistants
- 23 staff attorneys
- 19 supervising attorneys
- 11 senior staff attorneys
- 10 children’s program case managers
- Director of IT
- Operations support manager
As part of a 2024 bargaining agreement, laid-off employees are entitled to a 60-day notice, possible severance packages based on tenure, and extended healthcare benefits for two months.
Funding Challenges for Immigrant Services
RAICES highlighted that the funding freeze has created a substantial financial gap that is difficult to bridge. In the organization’s statement, Schroeder noted the broader implications of these cuts on immigrant aid across the country.
“It creates an 8-figure funding gap that cannot be reasonably and sustainably replaced in full by other sources in a country where less than 1% of total philanthropic investments annually are directed toward immigration,” said Schroeder.
In addition to RAICES, other organizations, such as Catholic Charities of San Antonio, are also experiencing challenges due to similar funding issues. These organizations play a vital role in providing services to thousands of immigrants, many of whom will face disruption in their support systems as a result of these funding cuts.
Conclusion
RAICES remains committed to advocating for immigrant rights and policy changes that protect the vulnerable populations it serves. The nonprofit’s efforts continue to focus on combating systemic oppression and ensuring access to legal resources for those in need.
As the situation evolves, RAICES plans to maintain its presence in detention centers and fight for the rights of immigrants, emphasizing fairness and justice in their advocacy efforts.