Central Ohio immigrants face uncertainty and fear

• There have been no confirmed ICE raids in Columbus since President Trump was sworn in, but the administration's posture is already alarming advocates and changing behaviors.

Catch up quick: During its first two weeks, the Trump administration issued an executive order suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and days later ordered a funding freeze for a variety of programs, cutting resettlement support for local immigrants.

• A judge has temporarily halted the freeze.

Context: Three main resettlement organizations support immigrants who are coming to or are already in Central Ohio: Community Refugee & Immigration Services (CRIS), Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services (ETSS) and Jewish Family Services (JFS).

• Each of these organizations could potentially lose millions of dollars in federal funding that reimburses costs to resettle and support immigrants.
• Those programs range from rent assistance and legal aid to job placement and health care.

Between the lines: The impact of that lost funding would be felt exclusively by legal immigrants who have either already come to Columbus through proper channels or are working through those channels.

• ETSS director of institutional advancement Dianna Russell tells Axios that immigrants in question are "highly vetted" and here to support families and contribute to communities.

What they're saying: Russell tells us the organization focuses on easing the panic in immigrant communities.

• "We've just been trying to fill that panic with education and knowing your rights," she says. "And we are trying to stay in compliance because, essentially, we don't want to be targeted by the administration."

What's next: Agencies' legal teams are watching federal court cases and working to understand the executive orders and policy changes, while scrambling to find alternative funding sources.

• CRIS is organizing volunteers in case it loses paid employees.
• ETSS is holding a private fundraiser to close financial gaps, but Russell says the organization is so worried about "hate" and potential danger that it's not publicizing the details.
• JFS, meanwhile, is asking for donations and volunteers.

Driving the news: Immigrants nationwide have been on edge as they anticipate a wave of ICE raids ordered by the Trump administration.

What we're watching: Despite rumors of ICE raids and the reported detainment of an immigrant who has been in Central Ohio for 30 years, refugee organizations say they're unaware of any confirmed ICE raids in the area so far.

• Russell and CRIS executive director Angie Plummer say they've heard rumors that were later debunked.

State of play: Central Ohio law enforcement agencies say they're not being called to support ICE raids.

• Russell tells Axios that Columbus police relayed to ETSS that they're only responding to reports of crime, not actively seeking to detain immigrants.

Yes, but: A new Trump administration policy allows ICE agents to raid schools, hospitals and places of worship, which has put immigrants on edge, regardless of whether they're here legally.

• Plummer calls this a "destructive" change.
• "I've heard of kids not going to school because of immigration-related concerns."

Zoom in: On Jan. 23, Columbus City Schools superintendent Angela Chapman sent a note to families as a reply to those "who have expressed concern over the well-being of our New American and immigrant students."

• Her note asserts the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that all students, regardless of immigration status, have the right to an education.
• "Therefore, our CCS families should know that Columbus City Schools are and will continue to be a safe place for all students."

Go deeper: How ICE could operate and conduct arrests during Trump 2.0