Welcome to the IRC in Miami

In 1960, an IRC resettlement program was established as the “Caribbean Program” for Cuban refugees fleeing the Castro dictatorship and Haitian refugees escaping the Duvalier regime.  The Miami office started its operations that same year and has been assisting these populations for over 50 years.  Since that time, the office has expanded to respond to subsequent populations of refugees from Africa, Burma, Columbia, Iran, Iraq, Kosovo and Vietnam, providing resettlement opportunities to more than 20,000 refugees.  Further, the IRC in Miami provides information and referral services to hundreds of individuals granted asylum each year and much needed direct services to victims of human trafficking.

This year, the IRC in Miami expects to welcome men, women, and children from Burma, Columbia, Cuba, Eritrea and Iraq. 

The minute these brave individuals and families step off the plane in Miami, IRC staff and volunteers are there to help them on the final leg of their journey from harm to home.  We provide housing and cash assistance, access to health care and other basic services, and help men and women gain the skills they need to secure stable employment.  We also help refugees realize their dreams of becoming U.S. citizens. 

For more than fifty years, we have helped people from around the globe re-establish their lives here in South Florida.  However, we couldn’t do it without the support from our local community.  Through funding, pro-bono work, and volunteering, South Florida has ensured that thousands of refugees now have a place to call home. 

You can learn more about how the IRC serves the South Florida community here or email us at Miami@Rescue.org to get involved. 

Thank you,  
Suzy Cop
Executive Director, the IRC in Miami