Syracuse, N.Y. -- At the beginning of the year, refugee resettlement agencies in Syracuse slashed their budgets and prepared for the worst in the face of the president's travel ban.

So far, it hasn't been as bad as they expected.

By the end of May, a total of 289 refugees will have been resettled in Syracuse by Catholic Charities and InterFaith Works. That same number at this time last year was 427. That's 30 percent fewer refugees.

Both organizations say the stream of new refugees coming to Syracuse has been unpredictable, and will continue to be as the courts rule on whether the travel ban is legal.

Olive Sephuma, director of the Center for New Americans at InterFaith, said community support has also helped lessen the impact of lost federal funding.

"The situation has very much improved," Sephuma said. "We've turned the corner."

InterFaith was able to add back hours that had been cut for some employees. Sephuma said they will be prepared to settle as many refugees as they need to.

"It's a result of all the support we've received from the community," she said.

Marnie Eisenstadt writes about people, life and culture in Central New York. Have an idea or question? Contact her anytime: email | twitter | Facebook | 315-470-2246