The International Institute of St. Louis has temporarily furloughed 60% of its employees across the state, according to a statement released Friday. The layoffs began Saturday, affecting offices in St. Louis, Kansas City and southwest Missouri. 

Agency officials said the furloughs were in response to Trump’s suspension of a refugee program and freezing of federal funds – which made up $4 million of the IISTL's income in 2022, according to an annual report.

“This difficult decision comes in direct response to recent and unprecedented actions by the federal administration that have halted key immigration programs, including refugee reception and placement, and cast uncertainty over the release of funding,” the statement reads. “Without assurances that the federal government will release the money to our organization that has been promised by acts of Congress, we must make this unfortunate, immediate and drastic action.”

The International Institute said it served more than 3,000 new clients in the region in 2024, with an average of 115 refugee arrivals per month. Agency estimates dropped drastically last week, after flights carrying refugees in February and March were canceled. Refugees who are already in the U.S. will still receive aid from remaining employees. 

“This is an incredibly hard decision that was made in the interest of keeping our promise of continuing service to our refugee and immigrant neighbors,” the statement reads. “The International Institute remains open and will continue to serve clients in accordance with our obligations—moral and contractual. How we deliver that service will be changing in the coming days, however.” 

The entire Festival of Nations team was also furloughed on Saturday. The annual festival has drawn hundreds of thousands of visitors to Tower Grove Park in late August. A review of artist applications and release of vendor applications was postponed.

Organization officials say there is no effective end date for the furlough, but plan to resume operations upon the release of federal funds and more private donations.