The U.S. has a long tradition of offering refuge to those fleeing persecution and war. These vulnerable populations have suffered unimaginable hardship and face tremendous obstacles as they start their new lives. The IRC staff and volunteers provide support to refugees from their first moments in the country to help set them on a path to self-sufficiency.

On September 29th, the Biden administration announced the United States will admit 125,000 refugees in fiscal year 2024, from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024. We welcome the current administration’s commitment to address the needs of the 110 million people currently displaced worldwide. The IRC in Silver Spring expects to resettle 600 refugees this year, a twenty percent increase from the 500 allocated to IRC in Silver Spring in fiscal year 2023.

The IRC in LA is helping refugees and migrants climb the 'credit building ladder' through a new micro-loan program, thanks to the partnership and support of Citi Community Development. The new program has been especially helpful in offering 'emergency grants' and 'resilience loans' to those affected by COVID-19.

The Hussaini family are now rebuilding their lives in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The IRC's Manufacturing Works Career Course help immigrants learn vocational language and skills required in technical manufacturing jobs. Read how this course is providing the skills and knowledge for refugees to advance in their careers.

This brief explores the relative costs of running these different professional development activities across nine programs in Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, and Pakistan.

Narges Shojai fled Afghanistan in 2008, lived in Turkey for 11 years, and immigrated to the US in 2019. She overcame language barriers, secured a job, gained citizenship, and voted in her first election.

Mohammad and his family make a fresh start.