The United States has a long tradition of offering refuge to those fleeing persecution and war. However, the Trump administration, citing unfounded security concerns, put a travel ban in place, suspended the refugee resettlement program for 120 days and slashed refugee arrivals by more than half.

Through our Resettlement Support Center based in Malaysia and Thailand, the IRC assists thousands of refugees who departed from camps and cities in East Asia to enter the United States and build new lives.

There are now more than 82 million refugees and displaced people around the world. The International Rescue Committee is providing relief to millions in war zones and other countries in crisis as well as supporting refugees in the UK, Europe and the United States, where refugees continue to seek safety.

Families escaping gang violence and persecution in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador have undertaken a dangerous journey to seek safety in the United States. Central Americans have the right to request asylum in the U.S. without being criminalised or separated from their children.

Each day, families hope to cross the border from Mexico to the United States in search of safety. Staying is not a safe option – and the IRC is supporting programs in Mexican border towns to respond.