Another executive order on immigration signed by President Trump this week suspends the U.S. refugee resettlement program, which vets and helps foreign natives who are many times fleeing war or persecution.

The order from the white House says the U.S. just can't absorb large numbers of migrants, in particular refugees, and wants state and local governments to have more say in where the migrants resettle.

But it also means thousands of refugees who've already been approved to come to the U.S. have had their travel plans canceled.

That includes immigrants who were scheduled to come to new Jersey, and the nonprofits and places of worship who were preparing to welcome them.

Senior correspondent Brenda Flanagan reports.

I'm very clear that we are not offering physical sanctuary at the Reformed Church of Highland Park.

South Carbondale feels alarmed like a beacon has Highland Park church beckons.

Immigrants seeking shelter from persecution worldwide helps hundreds of them resettle around new Jersey.

Always, the church relied on its special status as a sanctuary area, like schools and hospitals long considered off limits to federal agents.

But the president this week rescinded that policy.

They're doing a game that is not our game.

We're interested in saying that refugees and immigrants are a blessing, not a burden.

We were not going to have physical sanctuary offered to immigrants in this church, even though we've done it many times in the past, and we're actually like a leader in that nationally.

In fact, during the first Trump administration, several Christian Indonesian refugees fled their new Jersey homes and moved into Kappa Daly's church after Ice suddenly started deporting members of their community during routine document checks.

For months, the church served as a shield and a symbol in the past, to offer sanctuary wasn't to hide somebody.

We weren't interested in being accused of aiding and abetting.

Offering sanctuary was for the sake of highlighting what we felt was an injustice.

He says the president this week abruptly canceled permits for some 600 refugees expected by his ministry.

Meanwhile, Homeland Security announced criminals will no longer be able to hide in America's schools and churches to avoid arrest.

The Trump administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense.

We're getting the bad hardened criminals out.

These are murderers.

These are people that have been as bad as you get, as bad as anybody you've seen.

We're taking them out first.

Jersey social media is now plastered with posts of the ice tip line urging report illegal aliens.

The pastor fears for his staff.

I am less concerned about challenging government than I am concerned about free wheeling, people who seem to want to take matters into their own hands.

They scare me more than than the president does.

Faith leaders are wrestling with the same dilemma at houses of worship across new Jersey and the nation.

They're mindful of their sacred duty to offer safe haven, but they're also aware of a new extremism.

Social service agencies report similar concerns.

The community is afraid, to a point where the people are worried about going to work.

They they're scared of sending our children to school.

Kids are afraid to go to school, because of the actions of, the new administration.

Courtney Madison's with Church World Service in New Jersey and also helps settle refugees.

About 60 arrived before Trump shut down the program, leaving more than 130 stranded.

Mattson says they're heartbroken.

There's one case where, it was a single mom with three children coming to join her sister.

The sister had arranged a place for them to stay, was prepared to help them financially.

And the reason they were really coming is the kids want to go to school.

Advocates say these refugees are not criminals.

They've gone through extensive government checks.

It's really a shame that the program is being totally suspended.

It's even more ashamed that I saw the number 10,400 refugees have been thoroughly vetted, are ready to travel, have their tickets, and have been told they're not coming.

And that has nothing to do with national security or capacity.

That's just hate.

Copper.

Dale refuses to let Trump's politics drive his mission.

It's as if we're with an abusive father, and now we all have to talk about how are we going to keep the abuser at bay?

Right?

I don't want to talk about that.

The pastor says he'll talk about his truth, that this nation was built by immigrants, and it flourishes when they're welcomed in Highland Park.

I'm Brenda Flanagan, Andrew, spotlight news.