Refugee Resettlement
Shortly after taking office, the Trump Administration announced the suspension of refugee resettlement, a program that offers safety to some of the most vulnerable refugees in the world and has saved countless lives. This executive order is a step backward for America.
The IRC urges the Trump administration to reverse course, maintain the resettlement program and work with its partners around the world to maintain global resettlement slots. If the program is not restored, political dissidents, religious minorities, and the most vulnerable victims of war and disaster will pay the price, and so will the United States.
What is the Refugee Admissions Program?
The US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) has existed since the 1980 Refugee Act. The program is managed by the U.S. government, which works with the United Nations Refugee Agency and designated humanitarian agencies to identify, screen and vet prioritized populations for resettlement in the U.S.
USRAP has historically been a bipartisan initiative and offers some of the most vulnerable refugees in the world, including those who have supported US national security interests overseas, a route to safety. In fact, under President Ronald Reagan refugees were admitted at historic levels.
Refugees go on to contribute to the economy and vitality of their new communities. In recent years, the program has significantly boosted the U.S. economy, contributing a net positive impact of $124 billion from 2005 to 2019.
Learn more about refugee resettlement in the U.S.
The Welo family, originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, were forced to flee violence and lived in a refugee camp in Zimbabwe for over a decade. Over the course of several months in 2024, the family was resettled, one or two at a time, by the IRC in Louisville.
Photo: Natosha Via for the IRC
Suspension of refugee resettlement is a step backward
The suspension of refugee resettlement is inhumane, unjust and will separate families from their loved ones.
Refugees are people forced to flee their homes due to war, violence or persecution. There are a record number of refugees around the world today. The majority are and will continue to be hosted in places closer to home, in countries which are generally far less wealthy than America.
Refugee resettlement is an option for only a small number of the most vulnerable refugees. People chosen for the program go through the most thorough security screening process of anyone coming to the United States.
Resettled refugees revitalize cities and rural communities by supporting local businesses, filling critical labor shortages, and boosting demand for goods and services. Not resettling refugees could impact communities all across the U.S. A study published in 2022 found that taking in 10% fewer refugees could result in a 1.4-billion-dollar loss to the U.S. economy.
“The refugee resettlement program is a proven, orderly, cost-effective way of offering life-saving protection to some of the most vulnerable people in the world,” said IRC President and CEO David Miliband. “This country has been a leader in refugee resettlement. The beneficiaries are not just those who come here; it is also the communities to which they contribute.”
The Welo family celebrates the arrival of their sister and aunt Seva who arrived in Louisville, Kentucky after living in a refugee camp in Zimbabwe for over a decade.
Photo: Natosha Via for the IRC
How does the IRC support refugees?
The IRC is the largest resettlement and integration agency in the United States. The IRC resettles refugees through a network of 29 offices across 17 states as part of the USRAP. We work directly with new arrivals and welcoming communities to implement resettlement and integration services, providing temporary financial assistance, employment services, workforce development, interpretation services, cultural orientation, school registration and other programs.
How can I help refugees?
Donate: Financial contributions are key for trusted organizations like the IRC, which deliver essential services to refugees in the U.S. and abroad. Your donation can help empower refugees toward self-sufficiency.
Get connected: Follow our Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and X accounts.
Stay informed: Read our article, How to help refugees and asylum seekers under President Trump.
Take action: Join the IRC’s advocacy team as we fight for policies that deliver real change for the people we serve.
Volunteer: Your time and skills can help the IRC to deliver a wide range of services, including support for English as a Second Language (ESL) and civics classes across our 29 U.S. local offices.
