In honor of this past month being designated Social Work Month by the National Association of Social Workers, we are proud to feature Shakira Gibson, a Master of Social Work intern from California State University Stanislaus. Shakira has been assisting the IRC in Turlock/Modesto since September with its Afghan Path Towards Wellness program, which focuses on the mental and physical well-being of Afghan women who have come to the United States as refugees or other special immigrants. (Interview by Perry Fishel)

The Trump Administration took office on January 20, 2025—here’s how you can help refugees and asylum seekers.

“Florida has long been a leader in showing hospitality to refugee and immigrant communities and will continue to be a destination for those seeking a safe and welcoming home where they can rebuild their lives.” The IRC in Florida’s executive director, J.D. McCrary, provides an update on recent policy decisions and the status of the refugee resettlement program.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is now offering live, online weekly classes available nationwide on a variety of topics focused on providing remote support to refugees and other immigrants during the pandemic and economic crisis. Visit this page for more information about class times and other resources.

The Trump administration has enacted a travel ban targeting 19 countries, which will prevent people from entering the U.S. Learn more about the travel ban and what’s at stake.

Together We Welcome is an ode to tradition and cultures from around the world that arrived with people who now call Utah “home.” Despite hardships and a long journey, refugees and other immigrants contribute to and enrich their new communities in the United States. The installation invites you to learn more about our newest neighbors and listen to their stories.

Tom Greenleigh has been volunteering for the IRC in Salt Lake City office for 8 years. Working to support refugee and immigrant communities is in Tom’s blood: his ancestors worked to rescue and resettle refugees during World War II.

In January of this year, International Rescue Committee, International Medical Corps, Terres des Hommes, Oxfam, and the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, hosted a technical panel to discuss the datafication of humanitarian work and how we can center data justice in future efforts. Data justice explores the relationship between datafication and social justice. It looks at the impacts of data-driven processes on different populations. A data justice lens in humanitarian settings, then looks at how humanitarian data initiatives typically affect local risk and resilience as well as oppression, equity, and shifts in power. Several themes came out of the panel attended by institutional donors and other practitioners, outlined in the report.