New York, NY, June 8, 2022 —  On June 10th, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Refugee Advocacy Lab (the Lab) will host the upcoming States Lay the Foundation Summit - highlighting the successes and opportunities for policies that support refugee resettlement and integration across the United States. 

The Summit - the third annual hosted by IRC and the Refugee Advocacy Lab - will feature bipartisan panel conversations between state legislators from across the U.S. on the key role that states play in supporting refugee integration and ensuring newcomers are welcomed to their new communities. Panelists will speak to the impact of legislation they have introduced to address language access, education, economic empowerment, and how this contributes to the successful integration of newcomers in their communities. Policy experts from the IRC and Refugee Advocacy Lab will share best practices for identifying and scaling welcoming policies across other US states. 

Genevieve Kessler, IRC Director of State Advocacy, said:

“Policies that welcome and integrate refugees have become more essential than ever, following the arrival of more than 76,000 Afghans and the planned welcome of 100,000 Ukrainians, alongside the ongoing resettlement of refugees from other nations. In response to these needs, legislators across the country have crafted innovative and successful policies to advance access and integration. The upcoming Summit will showcase these policies and how they can be implemented in other states.”

Kate Brick, Director of the Refugee Advocacy Lab, said:

 “While we wait for federal leadership to implement necessary policies to welcome refugees and immigrants, states are not wasting time. From setting up Offices for New Americans to reducing barriers to entering the workforce, learning English, and accessing critical services, states know that creating opportunities for newcomers to actively participate in their communities benefits everyone. These types of policies are needed now more than ever, and we are excited to hear from states who have championed legislation on what they’ve learned, and how this work can be replicated across the country.”

The Summit will be virtually held on June 10th, 12PM-2PM EDT. Interested attendees can register for the event online.