Overview

Refugees are men, women and children who have fled their home country due to war, persecution, or political upheaval. Some eventually return when it’s safe to do so, others stay in temporary refugee settlements or integrate into nearby countries offering asylum, while a tiny fraction resettle in a third country, such as the United States. 37% of the global refugee population are hosted in just five countries: Islamic Republic of Iran, Türkiye, Colombia, Germany and Uganda. 

Learn about the impacts of the suspension of the refugee resettlement program on vulnerable people in crises, how resettlement helps refugees, the work of the IRC, and simple ways you can support refugees.

What is the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP)?

The U.S. Refugee Admission Program (USRAP) is a safe, orderly and cost-effective pathway for people fleeing conflict and crises, [historically] supported by both Republicans and Democrats since its creation under the 1980 Refugee Act. 

It has offered over 3 million security-vetted refugees a chance to start anew in America. Refugees significantly contribute to their communities, driving economic growth and reinforcing America's global reputation as a leader in humanitarian efforts.

USRAP operates independently from asylum and border systems, with its own funding and management. Despite its global significance and humanitarian focus, refugee resettlement receives only a tiny fraction of overall government resources compared to immigration enforcement.

On January 20th, the Trump administration issued an executive order that suspended refugee resettlement, jeopardizing this essential program.

What is the impact on refugees following the suspension of the USRAP?

Suspending the USRAP has harmed those fleeing persecution and blocked families from reunification. Many refugee families are being forced to live apart for years, unable to rebuild their lives together. Family reunification is not just a humanitarian priority—it’s essential for emotional stability, healing, and creating strong, supportive communities. Additionally, it also damages America’s global reputation, strains the refugee protection systems in other parts of the world, and deprives communities of economic and cultural benefits.

The Reception & Placement (R&P) program, which provides essential support during an individual’s first 90 days in the United States, was also abruptly halted by the Trump administration soon after taking office. When the stop-work order was issued, the IRC was assisting nearly 6,000 clients within their first 90 days of arrival. It exacerbated critical issues such as housing insecurity and food shortages, leaving countless families without adequate support.

Despite the stop-work order, IRC programming continued to support thousands of impacted clients in the US, ensuring that people understand their rights and have access to the available support systems to rebuild their lives and regain self-sufficiency. Even though R&P has now been restarted for a handful of refugees due to litigation under the Pacito v. Trump case, thousands remain waiting.

Please note, the Trump administration also announced a new travel ban that blocks people from twelve countries from entering the U.S.. Learn more about how the travel ban impacts refugees and their family members.

What does the USRAP suspension mean for the U.S. economy?

Refugee resettlement brings economic benefits to host countries. A study published in 2022 found that even a 10% reduction in refugee resettlement could result in a 1.4 billion-dollar loss to the US economy. 

Another study by the Department of Health and Human Services found a nearly $124 billion positive fiscal impact of refugees and asylees on the US economy between 1990 and 2022. 

How many refugees are resettled in the U.S., and who decides?

The USRAP is managed by the U.S. government, which works with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and designated humanitarian agencies to identify, screen and vet prioritized populations for resettlement. 

The U.S. accepts a limited number of refugees each year. The president, in consultation with Congress, decides the target level of refugee admissions for a given year and issues this decision via a Presidential Determination. During the first Trump Administration, the refugee admissions program was slashed by more than 85%, with record-low admission caps set nearly every year: 45,000 for 2018; 30,000 for 2019, 18,000 for 2020 and just 15,000 for 2021. 

These numbers indicate a stark decline from the average annual admissions cap of 95,000 under both Republican and Democratic administrations since the program was founded.

Applicants for refugee admission to the U.S. must satisfy the following criteria:

  • Meet the definition of a "refugee" as determined under U.S. law
  • Be among those of special humanitarian concern to the US, as designated by the President through the annual refugee admissions ceiling
  • Not be firmly resettled in another country
  • Pass medical, security vetting, and background checks
  • Be otherwise admissible to the US under immigration law

Even if an individual meets all the criteria, the USRAP does not confer any right or entitlement to be admitted to the U.S.

How are refugees vetted?

The hardest way to come to the U.S. is as a refugee.

Refugees admitted through the USRAP undergo the most extensive vetting of any group seeking entry to the U.S. Most are first registered and referred by UNHCR, which identifies individuals in need of resettlement. The U.S. government then interviews and selects each refugee individually through a rigorous screening process.

The program does not admit people who have committed violations of humanitarian and human rights law. Security screenings are intensive and led by U.S. government authorities, including the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, and other security agencies. The process can take years and is followed by further security checks after refugees arrive in the U.S.

A study looking at nearly fifty years of data found that the annual chance of a terrorist attack by a refugee is about 1 in 3.3 billion. 

How does the resettlement process work?

Resettlement Support Centers (RSC), run by agencies like the IRC through cooperative agreements with the Department of State, has helped refugees and their families prepare their cases for processing and security vetting, including by compiling personal data for interviews with officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Once refugees are cleared for resettlement, the U.S. government works with the IRC and other national resettlement agencies to help them restart their lives in America.

Refugees are usually placed in a city where they have relatives or friends, or where there is an established community that shares their language or culture. Other considerations include the cost of living and access to medical services. However, as legal U.S. residents, refugees could ultimately live in any state they chose. 

These are some of the steps included in the resettlement process:

Preparation for travel

Before refugees leave the countries where they temporarily reside, they sign promissory notes agreeing to reimburse the U.S. government for travel costs. They also attend a class to learn about what to expect when they arrive in their new country, with briefings on American culture, U.S. laws, healthcare access and other critical information. Officials also conduct a final screening and additional security checks before departure.

Arrival in the U.S.

Refugees are greeted and welcomed at the airport by case workers from resettlement agencies like the IRC to ensure their transition is as comfortable as possible. Agencies are responsible for finding a suitable, affordable home for refugee families, something many of these refugees have gone without for years. Families also receive basic furnishings, food and other immediate assistance for a limited period of time.

In the past under the Biden administration, initiatives like Welcome Corps allowed Americans across the country to offer a lifeline to safety by sponsoring refugees and supporting their resettlement process.

Getting on their feet

For the first 90 days, resettlement agencies work with state and local governments and community organizations to help new arrivals settle into their communities.

  • Refugees are encouraged to find work quickly—and most do. Agencies reach out to local employers, some run by former refugees or other immigrants, to find job opportunities for them. Refugees can also receive support in putting together their resume and preparing for job interviews.
  • Learning English is an essential step to becoming self-sufficient. Agencies help assist refugees to enroll in English courses at their local offices or help families find classes nearby.
  • Parents are informed about schooling options and caseworkers help to enroll children in school. Aid agencies help ensure each child has a backpack, notebooks and other supplies for their first day.
  • Refugees are introduced to their local health care system. Although they have had thorough check-ups before entering the U.S., they receive additional examinations by medical professionals in their new communities.
  • Newly arrived refugees have endured years of trauma and hardship; that emotional burden does not lift once they’re in the U.S. Agencies, service providers and local communities work together to help survivors of violence and human trafficking receive the support and care they need in order to recover.

Once they acclimate to their new environment, refugees thrive and contribute to their communities, starting careers, purchasing homes and creating new businesses.

How does the IRC support resettled refugees?

The IRC resettles refugees through a network of 28 offices across 17 states, a public-private partnership between the US government and non-profit organizations. 

We work directly with new arrivals and welcoming communities to implement resettlement and integration services, providing temporary financial assistance, employment services, workforce development, interpretation services, cultural orientation, school registration, and other programs.

Each resettlement office serves as a free, one-stop center for refugees’ needs during their pivotal first months in the U.S. Through a network of staff members and volunteers, the IRC helps refugees learn about life and customs in America, secure jobs, and learn English. We provide most of the basic things they need to restart their lives here and help them overcome cultural barriers so that their adjustment is as easy as possible.

Through community gardening, nutrition education and small-business farming, the IRC's New Roots program also gives hundreds of refugee farmers the tools and training they need to grow healthy and affordable food and become self-sufficient.

Where does the IRC have offices in the U.S.?

The IRC works in more than 40 countries and in 29 U.S. cities to help people affected by humanitarian crises survive, recover and rebuild their lives. Learn more about our U.S. offices:

What should the Trump administration do?

The IRC urges the Trump administration to reverse course, fully reopen its resettlement program, and work with its partners around the world to maintain global resettlement slots. The IRC views the suspension of the program as a significant setback for America and calls on the Trump administration to reconsider this decision through a thorough, evidence-based evaluation. 

At a moment when the international community faces the largest refugee crisis on record, the need for resettlement is great. Continuing to be a land of refuge and a place of freedom for those fleeing tyranny is consistent with core American values. This will ultimately benefit American communities alike and there is no real justification for ending one of the most established, secure, and effective programs that offers a route to safety.

 

What can I do to help resettled refugees?

Everyone can help refugees by welcoming them as new and valuable members of American society.

You can help refugees by asking the Trump administration to support refugee resettlement. You can also volunteer at a local resettlement agency; become an English tutor, or a mentor to a family; donate money, furniture and household items; educate other people about refugees; and employ or encourage local businesses to hire refugees.

Ways to help right now: