The United States has a long tradition of offering refuge to those fleeing persecution and war. Through 24 regional offices in cities across the country, the International Rescue Committee annually helps as many as 7,000 refugees resettle in the U.S. and become self-sufficient. IRC staff members and volunteers believe that refugees’ greatest resources are themselves. We help them translate their skills, interests and past experiences into assets that are valuable in their new communities.

How the IRC helps refugees in the U.S. 

The IRC supports newly arrived refugees by providing immediate aid, including food and shelter. Through a network of staff members and volunteers we provide access to the tools of self-reliance: housing, job placement and employment skills, clothing, medical attention, education, English-language classes and community orientation. Each resettlement office serves as a free, one-stop center for refugees’ needs during their pivotal first months in the U.S. 

In addition to integrating refugees into the U.S., the IRC’s resettlement network provides comprehensive immigration services to assist refugees and asylees on their path to becoming permanent residents or U.S. citizens. The IRC also provides specialized services to victims of human trafficking in the U.S. – men, women and children who have been forced or coerced into modern-day slavery.

On the IRC Blog: Refugees in the U.S.