Call to Action
Sponsor Refugees
A resource to guide you in joining the national effort to welcome refugees fleeing their homelands as they begin the journey to build new lives in the United States. The U.S. government has announced Uniting for Ukraine (below). People fleeing the war in Ukraine can apply to come to the U.S. with the support of a sponsor. That could be you!
Ukrainians and potential American sponsors can find each other, message back and forth, and make an informed decision about sponsorship. This is a part of the Welcome.US program. After they connect on Welcome Connect, sponsors and Ukrainians can apply for the Uniting for Ukraine (below) program together.
On April 21, 2022, the United States announced a key step toward fulfilling President Biden’s commitment to welcome Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s invasion. Uniting for Ukraine provides a pathway for Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members who are outside the United States to come to the United States and stay temporarily in a 2 year period of parole. Ukrainians participating in Uniting for Ukraine must have a supporter in the United States who agrees to provide them with financial support for the duration of their stay in the United States.
The Welcome Corps is a new service opportunity for Americans to welcome refugees seeking freedom and safety and, in turn, make a difference in their own communities. Together, sponsor groups welcome refugee newcomers by securing and preparing initial housing, greeting refugee newcomers at the airport, enrolling children in school, and helping adults to find employment. You already have the most important skill you need to succeed—knowledge about daily life in your community. Experts will be there to guide you each step of the way.
Beginning in mid-2023, the Welcome Corps will expand to allow private sponsors to identify refugees in need of protection whom they wish to sponsor and refer refugee applicants for consideration to the USRAP, subject to program criteria established by the U.S. government. Further information on this program expansion will be made available in the coming months. State Dept fact sheet