Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Fall 2024

Keywords

Refugee Sponsorship, Asylum Seekers, Washington, Resettlement, Immigration

Abstract

Refugees and asylum seekers are those unable to return to their home country because of persecution, or a well-founded fear of persecution, due to race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Historically, refugees have primarily resettled through government-funded resettlement programs. However, since early 2023, ordinary Americans and lawful permanent residents have been able to sponsor and support refugees directly through a new program known as Welcome Corps. This program relies on volunteers to deliver comprehensive support and essential resources to arriving refugees, helping with their successful integration into American society and the subsequent rebuilding of their lives.

This handbook is aimed directly at those seeking to sponsor refugees through the Welcome Corps program, though opportunities for sponsoring other migrants outside the traditional refugee program are growing rapidly. For example, new humanitarian parole programs now allow sponsors to support arriving individuals from four countries - Cuba, Haiti, Nicar agua, and Venezuela.

Type

Text

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.

Language

English

Format

application/pdf

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