Resettling Refugees

Photo: Peter Biro/IRC

The United States has a long tradition of offering refuge to those fleeing persecution and war. In 2010, the International Rescue Committee's 22 regional offices helped resettle over 9,600 newly arrived refugees in the U.S. and provided services to 24,500 refugees, asylees and victims of human trafficking. IRC staff members and volunteers believe that refugees’ greatest resources are themselves. We help them translate their skills, interests and past experiences into assets that are valuable in their new communities.

In addition, the IRC runs a Resettlement Support Center in the Thai capital, Bangkok, assisting people seeking admission to the United States as refugees.

How the IRC helps refugees in the U.S.

The IRC supports newly arrived refugees by providing immediate aid, including food and shelter. Through a network of staff members and volunteers we provide access to the tools of self-reliance: housing, job placement and employment skills, clothing, medical attention, education, English-language classes and community orientation. Each resettlement office serves as a free, one-stop center for refugees’ needs during their pivotal first months in the U.S. 

In addition to integrating refugees into the U.S., the IRC’s refugee resettlement network provides comprehensive immigration services to assist refugees and asylees on their path to becoming permanent residents or U.S. citizens. The IRC also provides specialized services to victims of human trafficking in the U.S. – men, women and children who have been forced or coerced into modern-day slavery.