When Miriam Barnes first came to the IRC, she was timid and shy, unsure of herself and nervous about communicating. Through strong encouragement from IRC staff and active participation in program activities, Miriam now walks into the IRC office with a new sense of confidence and pride, announcing her new career successes with a smile on her face.

Astrid, her husband, and her daughter had a unique path from Cuba to Colombia to the United States. Read it in her own words below.

The IRC is currently recruiting volunteers to mentor both individuals and families

In March of 2016, a young man and his family arrived in Dallas, Texas from Afghanistan. This month, he landed his dream job as a welder.

The IRC in Silver Spring works with local partners and the city government of DC to expand citizenship services to DC residents.

Under current law, no person may be appointed as a deputy sheriff of any county or police officer of any city, village, or town unless that person is a citizen of the United States. This bill allows the sheriff of a county or the appointing authority of a local law enforcement agency to elect to authorize the appointment of aliens who are the subject of a notice of decision from the federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) granting deferred action under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and who are in receipt of a valid employment authorization from the DHS as deputy sheriffs or police officers. The bill also prevents the law enforcement standards board from preventing such an alien from participating in a law enforcement preparatory training program.

Maryam Hashimi fled Afghanistan with her family. She's now turning her dreams into goals here in Richmond.