IRC President and CEO David Miliband visited Washington state meeting with Governor Jay Inslee, as well as leaders in the business and humanitarian communities.

June 20th is World Refugee Day - a time to celebrate refugee communities in Washington state, a time to raise awareness of the challenges facing refugee communities locally and globally, and a time to take action in support of our refugee neighbors. Get started today!

Each year the International Rescue Committee (IRC) works closely with state elected leaders to ensure that the communities in which we resettle are welcoming places for refugees and other new Americans. In addition to working directly on policy, we assess introduced legislation through our state tracker and identify new model policies and the trends in legislation—all informing the policies included in this guide. Year to year it has reflected emerging themes such as: resources for refugee-serving programs; reduced barriers for re-credentialing and licensure processes in states; and access to in-state tuition, to name a few. These measures not only help ensure refugees and other newcomers can access pathways to economic self-sufficiency and integrate more smoothly, but they positively impact the broader community as well. States and localities across the country can only benefit from the personal and professional success that a recently arrived individual achieves as they rebuild their lives. This year’s state policy and advocacy guide includes new policy themes and some familiar ones—but with nuanced examples as the policy efforts take shape in different states and political contexts. Recommendations provided are informed by stakeholder engagement and landscaping impacted communities to understand service provision needs, and strategic assessments of the political realities on the ground.

Find out how Americans across the country — from politicians and veterans to community members and corporations — continue to actively show their support for Afghan refugees.

On the heels of news that the Trump Administration is considering resettling zero refugees next year, a new IRC report shows that America’s retreat from global leadership in refugee protection comes at a time of acute global crisis.

This World Refugee Day, we are reaching back in history and taking inspiration from seven extraordinary individuals, among many over the years, who have stood with refugees. They have shown that progress is possible, even when the odds can feel too great to overcome.

. In May, a group of women from the Women’s relief Society from the LDS Church in Wichita came to the IRC where they met with IRC staff, toured our office and were able to learn more about the IRC and the work that is done to help refugees resettling in Wichita. After their meeting they presented the IRC with a stack of cheery and bright colored quilts and baby blankets for refugees resettling in Wichita.