Private Sponsorship of Refugees in America: 4 Things You Can Do to Still Welcome Refugees & Immigrants

During his campaign, the President-elect indicated that he will halt the refugee resettlement program in the U.S. At World Relief, we recognize that while administrations may change, our calling remains. The need remains. Our determination to work tirelessly toward a world where families in vulnerable situations can rebuild full and flourishing lives, remains. 

In January 2023, WelcomeCorps launched an extraordinary new program designed to expand community support for refugees and create a path for private citizens to sponsor refugees, inviting World Relief to become an official Private Sponsorship Organization, partnering in mobilizing churches anywhere in the U.S. to welcome refugees through WelcomeCorps. 

Now, in just over 18 months, more than 125,000 Americans have stepped forward to welcome newcomers to their communities. This is consistent with America’s longstanding tradition as a beacon of hope for persecuted people around the world. Resettling refugees reflects our values as a nation. Community, belonging and the belief that everyone deserves a safe place to call home remain bedrock values of this country. 

At World Relief, our mission is to boldly engage the world’s greatest crises in partnership with the church.  We support the continuation of the National Refugee Resettlement program including the groundbreaking WelcomeCorps program which has majority support from Republicans, Democrats and Independents. We have partnered with churches around the country who have stepped forward to provide welcome and care to refugees through private sponsorship —- and many more churches are preparing to do the same.    

It is during times of uncertainty that people rise, upholding the values that define our country’s tradition of welcome and creating hope for the future. As we navigate the path forward for sponsorship and resettlement, one thing is clear: welcome is an American value and the church is at the center of it.  

Here are four actions you can take today:   

• Welcome Now! – Form a Good Neighbor Team through Private Sponsorship to welcome refugees in your community. Join the number of Americans who have signed up to welcome before January 2025. Find out more here.  
• Advocate – Contact your members of Congress and the Biden administration and urge them to take critical steps to protect refugees. There remains a lot that Congress and the current administration can do to support newcomers and safeguard the refugee admissions program. Visit World Relief’s Advocacy page today. 
• Learn – Explore more about Private Sponsorship in our blog, 9 Things You Need to Know About Private Sponsorship and visit the Good Neighbor Team page.  
• Give – Help strengthen the private sponsorship program through giving to World Relief. Click Here!