In the 1600s, a group of writers collaborated on a historical play called Sir Thomas More. The script included one of the earliest and most impassioned defenses of a compassionate refugee policy, an extract known as The Strangers’ Case, widely believed to be written by William Shakespeare.

The U.S. has a long history of providing welcome to those needing safety. For decades, life-saving protection for refugees has been possible through the U.S. resettlement program and asylum. Today, we see these pathways to safety for those who have fled persecution and violence coming under attack, leaving some of the world’s most vulnerable people behind. Every day, our team is hard at work advocating for solutions for refugees, asylum seekers, asylees, Temporary Protected Status recipients, DREAMers and other marginalized people worldwide.

Adam Kinne, general manager at Cabinetry by Karman in Salt Lake City, reflects back to when he first reached out to the International Rescue Committee with hopes of hiring refugees to his team.

Before the Refugee Act of 1980 standardized refugee resettlement through the use of resettlement agencies, such as the International Rescue Committee, resettlement was largely conducted privately or through community groups. With the increasing numbers and enthusiasm of local community groups offering to partner to resettle refugees, IRC is committed to integrating community sponsorship programming at the local and national levels!

The IRC in Salt Lake City’s health team works hard to aid the people that we serve with holistic health services. Prior to arrival in the U.S., refugees are at particularly high-risk for dental infection due to a number of reasons. In this article with the U of U School of Dentistry, we share about the high need for dental education and services for refugees.

State legislators and staff welcome refugee advocates at the State Capitol for information exchange

Looking for the perfect gift this holiday season? How about the gift of providing a warm winter welcome and holiday cheer to refugee families? With your help this winter, we can ensure that newly arrived refugees have the crucial items (and gifts they want!) this holiday season.

Sacramento is the largest resettlement location for refugees in the nation. Twelve teams made up of refugees from Iraq, Iran, Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Syria, played soccer at World Refugee Day at Papa Murphy's Park on Wednesday, June 20, 2018.

Over 300 advocates mobilized in support of refugees in Washington D.C. on May 8th and 9th, including four delegates from the state of Idaho. Together, they urged congress to return to policies of welcome for refugee and immigrant communities in the US.

World Refugee Day is on June 20th! Between June 14th and June 20th (and always) we’re acknowledging the strength and resiliency of our new neighbors, and the talents and skills they bring to our communities here in Arizona.