The United States has long been a safe haven for people seeking safety from conflict or persecution. 

Now, Trump Administration policies are challenging that proud tradition. More than six million people are at risk of losing their legal status overnight. Many have fled violence in countries like Haiti or Venezuela, and have already taken the required steps to come to the U.S. or ask for asylum. 

Behind the headlines are real people: children forced to stand alone in immigration courtrooms, families separated by war, survivors of trafficking working to rebuild their lives and newcomers trying to find stability in unfamiliar communities.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) refuses to look away. Despite restrictive policies and funding challenges, we remain committed to using cost-effective, proven solutions to meet these urgent needs.

Here are six ways we continue to help refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants—and why your support is more important than ever.

Providing legal assistance to refugees and immigrants

The U.S. Constitution guarantees due process rights to everyone, no matter their immigration status. But recent changes to immigration policies and deep funding cuts could force millions of immigrants into uncertainty. The dangers they face include losing their legal status, deportation and family separation.

Without an attorney, many will be forced to navigate the complex American immigration legal systems on their own. Studies show that people with lawyers are five times more likely to receive the immigration legal status they are entitled to under the law compared to those without legal representation.

The IRC is meeting the moment. Last year, we provided legal assistance to over 21,000 people across the U.S. and Europe. Our services included helping applicants complete asylum applications and petitions for family reunification, applying for naturalization and citizenship, assisting with work authorization and status adjustments, providing direct legal representation and referrals, and offering ‘know your rights’ trainings and other forms of legal education.

Two sisters embrace after they are reunited at an airport in the U.S.
The moment that Sitara and two of her sisters reunited with their family in Utah after nearly two years of separation. The family was separated amidst the chaos that ensued when the Taliban took control of Afghanistan until an IRC legal representative helped reunify the family.
Photo: James Roh for the IRC

Helping newcomers find jobs and strengthen the economy

Policies enacted by the Trump administration have slashed job support programs, leaving refugees and asylees with fewer tools they need to work and support their families. This not only harms newcomers—it weakens local economies that benefit from their skills and labor.

When refugees find work, everyone wins. A 2024 U.S. government study found that refugees and asylees contributed $123.8 billion more in tax revenue than they received in benefits from 2005 to 2019.

The IRC helps refugees find jobs quickly through career counseling, job placement, and skills training—support that’s crucial as living costs rise. We also work with private partners to promote financial independence and economic opportunity.

Omar, a refugee from Sudan, stands proudly in front of his farm in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Omar, a refugee from Sudan, became a successful farmer after being resettled by the IRC in Salt Lake City. He has become one of the region’s most productive farmers and his daughter, Abeer, has a job helping refugee and immigrant farmers succeed in America.
Photo: Andrew Oberstadt for the IRC

Protecting unaccompanied children as legal safeguards are dismantled

Picture a six-year-old, scared and alone, crossing a border in search of hope—only to face even more dangers upon arrival. For thousands of unaccompanied children in the U.S., this is the reality. 

Recent U.S. government contract terminations threaten to dismantle a program that has provided legal representation to these children for over 20 years. Although a court temporarily blocked the Trump administration's attempt to cut this program, its future remains uncertain.

Without legal representation, children—including those as young as 18 months old—will have to face the complicated immigration process and ICE prosecutors on their own, with little chance to defend their rights or avoid deportation.

The IRC provides free legal support to children fleeing violence, trafficking and abuse. Our attorneys fight for their rights, help them stay safe and reunite them with loved ones.

Two children sit and work on an arts and crafts project. Their back is to the camera to protect their identity.
In immigration court unaccompanied children are held to the same legal standards as adults—expected to recount the trauma they’ve endured while an ICE prosecutor argues for their deportation. The IRC’s legal support program helps these children get the protections they're entitled to.
Photo: Andrew Oberstadt for the IRC

Providing the information people need to stay safe

When people flee violence and disaster, they often take dangerous journeys through unfamiliar countries—sometimes with children in tow and little more than what they can carry. Along the way, it can be difficult to find safe shelter or access basic services like medical care or legal aid. As new U.S. government policies force service providers to close, refugees are left even more vulnerable to misinformation and exploitation.

The IRC’s digital platforms—like Settle In, Refugee.Info and other tools—help bridge this gap. These virtual services provide real-time, multilingual information about housing, health care, legal rights and employment. Leveraging AI and virtual case management, the IRC’s digital service providers have already reached millions.

An IRC client accesses the Refugee.Info service from her phone in Italy.
The IRC’s information services, like Settle In and Refugee.Info empower refugees and immigrants to make informed decisions about their lives. At the touch of a button, these platforms can provide personalized information services in a variety of languages.
Photo: Olivia Blinn for the IRC

Preventing human-trafficking and exploitation

As mass deportations rise and fear spreads, many immigrants are avoiding public places like work, school and support services. Human traffickers exploit the fear created by these dangerous policies and use immigration status to manipulate and exploit vulnerable people, including unaccompanied children.

For over two decades, the IRC has been an anti-trafficking leader. We provide survivors with free legal help, emergency shelter, medical care and long-term pathways to safety and stability. We also work to prevent trafficking before it happens by partnering with grassroots groups, sharing accurate information and training frontline workers to spot warning signs.

A woman watches her child play on a playground in Germany.
Niki left her home in West Africa with the promise that she would work as a hairdresser in Belgium. Instead she endured forced labor, exploitation and sexual assaults. Now in Munich, Germany, Niki draws strength from an IRC support program for survivors of trafficking.
Photo: Iuna Vieira for the IRC

Strengthening the public services that support newcomers

Refugees and immigrants turn to local schools, hospitals and community organizations for support—but too often, these essential services aren’t equipped to meet their unique needs. That’s where the IRC steps in.

We train and support frontline workers, from teachers to city officials, so that they can confidently deliver inclusive, effective care. With more than 90 years of experience helping communities welcome newcomers, the IRC has strengthened thousands of local institutions across the U.S. and Europe.

A child plays with a toy at the IRC's Welcome Center.
Young refugees and immigrants often start school without friends and with little understanding of their new surroundings. The IRC equips teachers to welcome every student and ensure all children thrive—no matter their background.
Photo: Nisha Datt for the IRC

Help us make an impact

No administration will stop the IRC from meeting our clients’ needs. Whether in the U.S., Europe or the more than 40 crisis-affected countries where we work around the world, the IRC remains steadfast in our commitment to helping people affected by crisis to survive, recover and rebuild their lives with dignity.

Funding cuts and restrictive policies have made this challenging but not impossible. We need your support to deliver cost-effective humanitarian solutions.

What is the IRC?

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps refugees and displaced people find safety and rebuild their lives by resettling and integrating into new communities in the U.S. and across Europe. We deliver life-saving services to refugees and displaced people abroad, including in some of the world’s largest and most crisis-affected refugee camps.

The IRC also responds to the world’s most urgent humanitarian crises including in Sudan, Ukraine and the occupied Palestinian territory. Founded at the call of Albert Einstein over 90 years ago, the IRC remains dedicated to helping people affected by crises to survive, recover and rebuild their lives.

We consistently earn top marks by charity watchdog groups for our efficient use of donor contributions and the effectiveness of our work.

Support our mission—help crisis-affected people survive, recover and rebuild their lives.