The United States through the State Department in collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services, have announced the launch Welcome Corps to enable Americans partners and guides to refugees to build new lives in the United States and help them realize their full potential.
Secretary of State, Antony Blinken who made the announcement in a statement on Thursday, said the Welcome Corps is a new private sponsorship program that will enable Americans to sponsor refugees arriving through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), which directly support their resettlement, and make a difference by welcoming these new neighbors into their communities.
He said further that Welcome Corps is the boldest innovation in refugee resettlement in four decades. “It is designed to strengthen and expand capacity of the USRAP by harnessing the energy and talents of Americans from all walks of life desiring to serve as private sponsors, ranging from members of faith and civic groups, veterans, diaspora communities, businesses, colleges and universities, and more.
“In the program’s first year, our goal is to mobilize at least 10,000 Americans to step forward as private sponsors and offer a welcoming hand to at least 5,000 refugees from around the world”.
Adding that the Welcome Corps will build on the extraordinary response of the American people over the past year in welcoming our Afghan allies, Ukrainians displaced by war, Venezuelans, and others fleeing violence and oppression.
Blinken noted that in the face of unprecedented global displacement, the United States will continue to lead the international community in humanitarian response, including refugee resettlement.
He stated further that by launching the Welcome Corps, United States has built on a proud tradition of providing refuge and demonstrate the spirit and generosity of the American people as it commit to welcoming refugees in need of Goverment’s support.
Assistant Secretary from Bureau of Populations, Refugee, and Migration, Julieta Noyes explained at the Press Briefing on Thursday, that Welcome Corps invites Americans to do what they do best, welcoming newcomers, being good guides, neighbors, and friends.
She noted that the Welcome Corps will be launched in two phases. Noyes said, “In the first phase, groups of five or more Americans or legal permanent residents can apply to form a private sponsor group. When certified, they will be matched with a refugee who is already approved for resettlement in the United States.
“In the second phase, which will launch around the middle of this year, groups can identify and refer to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program the refugees they would like to sponsor. If approved and certified, they will then sponsor resettlement of these specific refugees”.
She pointed out the goal in 2023, is to mobilize 10,000 Americans to step forward as private sponsors, and help resettle at least 5,000 refugees. “Time and again, we’ve seen the generosity and the welcoming spirit of the American people. If more than 10,000 sponsors join the Welcome Corps this year, we will make every effort to pair them with refugees in need.
“We at the State Department are excited to launch the Welcome Corps as part of our broader effort to rebuild, expand, and modernize the refugee resettlement program. We look forward to engaging with individuals and communities around the world who wish to participate”.