Kentucky
Trump immigration order leaves Kentucky Refugee Ministries facing cutbacks or closure
Large crowd protests Trump immigration crackdown at Florida Capitol
More than 100 people gathered at the Florida Capitol on Monday to protest the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
An immigration non-profit that has worked in Kentucky for nearly four decades faces the possibility of reducing staff or even ceasing operations altogether.
Kentucky Refugee Ministries, which operates offices in Louisville, Lexington and Covington, said it may be unable to provide services if the executive order signed by President Donald Trump that suspended refugee resettlement programs remains in effect.
KRM receives 90% of its funding from federal grants, KRM spokesperson Alex Miniard told The Courier Journal.
“We’re having to really evaluate what we need to do in order to continue,” Miniard said. “A lot of offices across the country are already closing down fully or heavily reducing staff. And sadly, some of those options — it looks like that’s going to happen here at KRM.”
The news comes just days after the Kentucky Equal Justice Center in Lexington, a non-profit poverty law advocacy center that includes the Maxwell Street Clinic for immigration law, announced they would have to suspend operations because of financial constraints.
Community partners and more than 350 individual donors provided enough support for KEJC to remain open with reduced staff for at least six months, per its website.
“We’ve been around for 35 years now and provided services for about 40,000 people in that time,” Miniard said of KRM. “We have every intention of staying committed to that mission, but it’s coming down to we need a heavy amount of outside funding and community support, of donations, in order to ensure that those services and our staff and our organization are all preserved.”
On Jan. 20, the U.S. Department of State ordered the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants to stop all work for refugee resettlement, including suspending all refugee admission and assistance for those already in the country. Federal funding has been paused.
For decades, the federal refugee program — a legal form of migration to the U.S. — has helped those escaping natural disasters, torture, human trafficking, religious persecution and war with legal, social and health services.
Since the program was unanimously passed by Congress in 1980, it has safely resettled more than 3 million refugees, according to the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants.
“Religious organizations shoulder the bulk of refugee resettlement work in the United States,” according to the Associated Press. “Out of the 10 federally funded national agencies that resettle refugees, seven are faith-based.”
Kentucky Refugee Ministries is approved to welcome refugees through the State Department. It provides services for refugees and asylum seekers from war-torn countries like Congo, or Cuba, following restored diplomatic relations between the U.S. and the island nation. It offers comprehensive services, starting with cultural orientation and employment and continuing to citizenship and naturalization.
The funding provides refugees further opportunities beyond being settled in the state, such as job readiness or resume-building workshops and even providing work items, such as uniforms or footwear.
According to KRM, Kentucky holds the largest Congolese population. Louisville is second, behind Miami, for the largest Cuban population.
Public data related to the American Community Survey, which offers a one- and five-year look at a community’s changing population, was removed from public-facing federal websites on Friday following directives from the Trump administration.
Amos Izerimana, the director of Louisville’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, is an immigrant who arrived in Louisville in 2007 from a refugee camp in Tanzania.
“Kentucky Refugee Ministries plays a crucial role in connecting with newcomers and ensuring they have the necessary tools, resources, and support to begin a new life in Louisville,” Izerimana said in a statement to The Courier Journal. “It is very important they have access to the funding they need to provide these services throughout our community.”
Trump’s suspension of the program also canceled the travel and family plans for thousands of refugees, some of whom had gone through a yearslong vetting process, including more than 1,6000 Afghans who assisted the U.S. in war efforts.
At least 105 refugees who were supposed to be resettled by KRM had their travel plans canceled, including a few Afghan refugees who were family members of those who assisted in the war efforts.
Of those refugees headed to Kentucky, Miniard said many were also medically vulnerable and had experienced lots of trauma because that’s where KRM specializes its support.
“What do you do?” she asked. “What do you tell these people?”
Kentucky also accepted a higher number of immigrant arrivals before January 2025 in anticipation of the program’s suspension, leaving those new to the state with potential access to fewer services.
“Those people who have initially arrived — the first 90 days, especially — they are in need of a very high level of support,” Miniard said. “Leaving those people even more vulnerable to homelessness, starvation or losing the home that they just got, that they waited years for safety to have — and then to take that away … That’s something that’s really hard for all of us and a lot of the community that supports us to reconcile with.”
Only two other affiliates are listed for Kentucky under the federal office for refugee resettlement: Catholic Charities of Louisville and the International Center of Kentucky, in Owensboro and Bowling Green.
Amber Duke, the executive director for the ACLU of Kentucky, said the state’s current infrastructure is unable to meet the need for immigrants.
“Thinking about these drastic pullbacks on services, it’s absolutely devastating,” Duke said. “Behind the numbers are clients and people and families who are depending on these services.”
If refugee resettlement agencies reliant on government grant funding were unable to provide services, those core services would have to be covered across different sectors — many of which also have limited funding, such as housing.
“It’s challenging during this time, especially for folks who have previously experienced this trauma,” Miniard said. “They think they’ve finally experienced safety and then they start to hear this kind of rhetoric … and they think, ‘Oh no. This is happening again. I’m not safe.’ Imagine what that does to trigger fear and anxiety? People are scared.”
Stephanie Kuzydym is an enterprise and investigative reporter. She can be reached at skuzydym@courier-journal.com.
Keely Doll is a communities reporter. Reach her at kdoll@courierjournal.com.
Summer practice is full underway for the 2026-27 Kentucky men’s basketball squad. And while the on-court teaching is critical to the offseason, what’s happening off the floor is equally as important.
Earlier this week, head coach Mark Pope and the entire team made a trip to the Kentucky Children’s Hospital, where they helped put together Father’s Day goodie bags, built toys, played board games with the kids, and shared laughs all around. Watching Franck Kepnang, Mason Williams, and Jerone Morton smile ear-to-ear while losing in a board game will make your heart full.
This was more than just a quick stop, though. This was about building real relationships and putting smiles on the faces of kids who deserve it. Returning center Malachi Moreno even reconnected with one of his new friends.
“There was a kid I’ve actually kept in touch with for a while. His name’s Jackson,” Moreno said Thursday. “Took some of my teammates in to meet him. I met him at Dance Blue. We’ve been playing Fortnite together. Got his PSN (PlayStation Network) tag and we’re going to play some Fortnite. Me, him, Kam (Williams), and Trent (Noah), we’re gonna play some Fortnite together.
“He’s such a cool kid. I think the guys really took in what it means to be at this brand. We walk in any room, we’re gonna brighten someone’s day. They might not be as fortunate as us but we’re taking time out of our day to go see them, and we’re having fun with it. I just wanted them to realize how much fun these kids are having with us.”
Judging by the video that UK put out on Thursday (which you can watch below) , it sure looks like everyone was having a blast. Some things are bigger than basketball.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – Severe weather across the Commonwealth has led to downed trees, traffic impacts and thousands of power outages.
Extensive coverage will be available on air and on WKYT+, where people can stay updated on the latest storm threats and impacts.
Franklin County Damage
A house fire was caused by lightning striking the attic space above two bedrooms, the Franklin County Fire Department reports.
A child was reportedly awakened by smoke, and alerted the residents to danger. Everyone was able to get out of the home safely before fire crews arrived.
Crews say they were able to contain the fire to the attic, which reduced further damage to the home.
Grant County damage
The Grant County Judge Executive Chuck Dills declared a state of emergency for Grant County due to severe weather damage.
Mason County damage
The Washington Fire Department says crews have been busy with storm damage reports from early morning storms.
The Mason County Judge Executive Owen McNeill says most of the damage seems to be west of US 68 within or near the Maysville city limits. McNeill says trees and debris are in roads county wide, with several power lines down.
Jessamine County damage
Jessamine County Emergency Management posted on social media that multiple weather-related incidents and power outages Thursday morning have taxed their Emergency service teams
Officials say crews have responded to multiple flooded out roads, downed trees and at least four damaged structures including some commercial occupancies that had collapse of roof or structures.
If you experienced any damage, you are asked to message Jessamine County Emergency Management or submit a damage assessment report.
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 7 said KY 1267 at Cushingberry Lane in Jessamine County is closed due to a downed tree on a phone line.
Following severe weather, Ollie’s bargain outlet’s roof partially collapsed in Jessamine County according to emergency management. Emergency management is on the scene handling the situation.
The whole strip mall is closed due to a water leak and potential gas leak.
Show us your photos
Viewers are encouraged to submit any photos and videos of storm damage and impacts to WKYT. People can submit entries below.
Power outages
As of 8 a.m. on Thursday, June 18, over 4,000 customers in Fayette County are without power, and over 57,000 customers are without power throughout Kentucky, according to Kentucky Power Outages.
In a social media post, Woodford County said it was monitoring outages and was in coordination with utility partners to work to restore power.
The main transmission line that provides power to Falmouth was damaged, leading the city to be without power according to Pendleton County Emergency Management. An LG&E crew is reportedly enroute to fix the problem, but Falmouth will have no power until the damage is repaired.
Road Conditions
Garrard County Emergency Management says several state and county roads are being covered in water due to the weather conditions. They advise for anyone travelling to use extreme caution and be aware of flooded areas.
If encountering a water covered road, turn around and don’t drive through it, Garrard County Emergency Management says. An alternate route is the safest option.
Rolling Acres is closed between Bender Drive and Rancho Drive in Frankfort due to storm damage according to the Frankfort-Franklin County Office of Emergency Management. Utility crews are making preparations for repair onsite.
U.S. 127 Business at mile point 1.4 in Anderson County was closed due to a downed tree, according to KYTC, and Midway Road is closed between Old Frankfort Pike and US 60 in Woodford County.
KYTC reports a downed tree at mile point 3.1 on Bryan Station Road in Fayette County. The road is currently blocked. Information will be provided as updates become available.
Old Frankfort Pike is also closed between Pisgah Pike and the Fayette County line due to a tree on utility lines, KYTC said.
The Harrodsburg Police Department says that the road at Moberly Road and Scooter Avenue is not drivable due to high water, and barricades are in place to prevent drivers from attempting to cross.
KYTC encouraged drivers to use caution while traveling and watch for roadway hazard, including downed trees, debris and powerlines.
Copyright 2026 WKYT. All rights reserved.
By West Kentucky Star Staff
Jun. 17, 2026 | 10:25 PM
| PADUCAH
A drug trafficking investigation landed a Paducah man behind bars.
The weeks-long investigation by Paducah Police led them to 54-year-old Byrone K. Burns. Burnes was believed to be involved in moving illegal drugs through the area.
An undercover purchase was arranged, and detectives reportedly came away with more than ten grams of methamphetamine. Burns was arrested at his job just before 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Following his arrest, detectives searched two locations in Paducah connected to Burns. They reportedly seized more than two pounds of marijuana, a hydrocodone pill, several thousand dollars in cash, and items consistent with trafficking.
Burns, who is said to have an extensive criminal history related to drugs and weapons, was charged with trafficking in methamphetamine and marijuana, and possession of hydrocodone. He was booked into the McCracken County Regional Jail.
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