Washington, D.C. (October 10, 2024) – A recent Center for Immigration Studies analysis of the U.S. Welcome Corps program highlights that individuals do not need to be officially recognized as refugees by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCS) to be sponsored for resettlement in the United States. This program, launched by the Biden-Harris administration in January 2023, opened a pathway for private individuals, including earlier refugees or other newcomers, to sponsor refugees.
“The Welcome Corps program transforms refugee resettlement away from a focus on the most vulnerable by allowing private individuals in the United States to select their own ‘refugees’ and future American citizens,” said Dr. Nayla Rush, senior researcher at the Center and author of the report.
A companion blog post reports the final FY 2024 refugee resettlement numbers, broken down by month, nationality, and state.
Key takeaways:
Private Refugee Selection: U.S.-based sponsors, including those with temporary legal status and refugees, can select individuals they wish to bring into the country, bypassing the traditional UNHCR refugee referral system.
Non-Refugees Can Be Sponsored: The Welcome Corps program allows for sponsored individuals who are not designated as refugees by the UNHCR, including asylum seekers and individuals applying for parole or Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) status.
Claiming Persecution: Though sponsorship does not require prior refugee status, individuals can claim persecution to qualify for refugee resettlement during their application review.
Potential for Fraud and Corruption: Refugee Support Centers (RSCs), funded by the Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM), but operated by NGOs or international organizations, are responsible for preparing cases for review by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). They have been subject to allegations of fraud and bribery, raising concerns about the integrity of the resettlement process.
Weakened Security Vetting: The role of RSCs in screening applicants and the discretion of USCIS officers in granting refugee status may create security vulnerabilities, with risks of preferential treatment or lax oversight.
Sponsorship Has Grown: The Welcome Corps program was launched in January 2023, and by September 2024, 100,000 individuals from all 50 states and the District of Columbia had signed up to act as sponsors.
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