Biden Launches Private Sponsorship Program for Refugees

The U.S. State Department unveiled a new refugee program, “Welcome Corps,” in January, which enables private sponsorship of refugees. Historically, the State Department primarily partnered with nonprofit resettlement agencies to resettle refugees. Given the war in Ukraine, along with the commitment to assisting Afghan allies and other nationals fleeing violence and oppression, the Biden administration called for the expansion of the refugee settlement program and created a path for U.S. citizens and legal residents to privately sponsor refugees seeking protection in the U.S.