The Trump Administration is set to take office on January 20, 2025—here’s how you can help refugees and asylum seekers.

Rock for Refugees not only brought Nathan Hale High School senior Emmett Lucas one step closer to graduation, it took his senior project outside of the classroom and onto the stage. The event drew more than 150 people and raised an estimated $1,400 in support of the IRC.

Each year the International Rescue Committee (IRC) works closely with state elected leaders to ensure that the communities in which we resettle are welcoming places for refugees and other new Americans. In addition to working directly on policy, we assess introduced legislation through our state tracker and identify new model policies and the trends in legislation—all informing the policies included in this guide. Year to year it has reflected emerging themes such as: resources for refugee-serving programs; reduced barriers for re-credentialing and licensure processes in states; and access to in-state tuition, to name a few. These measures not only help ensure refugees and other newcomers can access pathways to economic self-sufficiency and integrate more smoothly, but they positively impact the broader community as well. States and localities across the country can only benefit from the personal and professional success that a recently arrived individual achieves as they rebuild their lives. This year’s state policy and advocacy guide includes new policy themes and some familiar ones—but with nuanced examples as the policy efforts take shape in different states and political contexts. Recommendations provided are informed by stakeholder engagement and landscaping impacted communities to understand service provision needs, and strategic assessments of the political realities on the ground.

June 20th is World Refugee Day - a time to celebrate refugee communities in Washington state, a time to raise awareness of the challenges facing refugee communities locally and globally, and a time to take action in support of our refugee neighbors. Get started today!

On the heels of news that the Trump Administration is considering resettling zero refugees next year, a new IRC report shows that America’s retreat from global leadership in refugee protection comes at a time of acute global crisis.

. In May, a group of women from the Women’s relief Society from the LDS Church in Wichita came to the IRC where they met with IRC staff, toured our office and were able to learn more about the IRC and the work that is done to help refugees resettling in Wichita. After their meeting they presented the IRC with a stack of cheery and bright colored quilts and baby blankets for refugees resettling in Wichita.