September 28, 2017. In this article the author discusses President Trump’s expected plan to cut the refugee cap to 45,000, the lowest cap since September 11, 2011. The author argues that the population and economy of Buffalo will be greatly impacted. The author notes how refugees have helped reverse population decline in Buffalo, as well as helped the economy grow through business ownership, job creation and a boost in real estate prices. The author also notes that refugee resettlement agencies will be negatively impacted and will have to lay off more employees. Many do not know what the future hold for Buffalo if this refugee cap is implemented.
Experts familiar with population trends in Buffalo said Trump’s decision could be costly to Buffalo in another way.
“There’s a big difference between gaining population and losing population, and for Buffalo, this could be that difference,” said David D. Kallick, director of the immigration policy initiative at the Fiscal Policy Institute, an Albany think tank.
Buffalo has been losing population for decades. But the city’s population has almost stabilized in recent years, thanks in large part to an influx of refugees and other immigrants.
Now that’s less likely thanks to Trump’s decision, said Kallick, who has studied the impact of refugee resettlement in Buffalo.
Here is the link to The Buffalo News.