TAMPA, Fla. — With the Biden Administration announcing big changes for immigration reform, experts said the move could also impact migrant organizations and the people they serve in the Bay Area. 

For Lutheran Services Florida, they believe those changes could be helpful but also negative towards the community they serve.

Lourdes Mesias, executive director for refugee and immigration services at Lutheran Services Florida, says her organization has seen a significant increase in migrants seeking help since early 2022 — and that number continues to grow daily.

“Our mission is to provide services that will support the refugee and immigrant integration to our community," she said.

President Joe Biden recently announced a plan to limit the number of immigrants from Cuba, Haiti and Nicaragua — while opening new pathways for refugees — and Mesias said she's in favor of the changes.

“I believe that at least it’ll provide a safe passage for all refugees and asylum seekers that are form those countries to come to the United States,” she said.

But the new measures come with a downside, she said.

“The difficulty will be finding that sponsor relative or an organization here in the United States that will be willing to sponsor them,” Mesias said.

Mesias said Lutheran Servies Florida has implemented programs that will continue to help members of the migrant community no matter what the changes do.

“Putting more programs in place so that we can provide that support that they need," she said.