Trump is the president. Here’s how to help refugees in the U.S.
In his first 100 days in office, he has proposed to deport “two million” undocumented migrants and suspend immigration from “terror prone regions.” He has promoted an ideology that emphasizes refugees — those from majority-Muslim countries or elsewhere — as a danger to the United States.
Here is a list of organizations that work with refugee populations in the US. Perhaps consider donating to one or even volunteering in the wake of Trump’s victory.
If you have other suggestions, please add them to the comment section, and I’ll try to update this list as quickly as possible. Also, this list is in no particular order and it’s not meant to be comprehensive. I encourage you to do more research about all of the organizations listed.
Also, here are responses from pro-refugee organizations regarding the results of the presidential election.
The first organizations listed are refugee placement organizations in the US that help to resettle refugees. Many of them have local chapters across the country that accept volunteers. They often also do advocacy on behalf of refugees, legal representation and more. Many of them are faith-based.
Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Service
U. S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
Ethiopian Community Development Council (ECDC)
Domestic & Foreign Missionary Society (Episcopalian faith-based)
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS)
World Relief (Christian faith-based)
International Rescue Committee
Here are organizations that focus on pro-bono legal services to refugees:
International Refugee Assistance Project
Kids in Need of Defense
Provides pro bono attorneys to represent unaccompanied immigrant and refugee children
Here are some local organizations that are helping refugee communities across the US:
International Institute of New England
Aids refugees in resettlement, case management, mental health services, employment and more
Nationalities Service Center
Philadelphia
Provides services to refugees, victims of human trafficking and unaccompanied children in the greater Philadelphia region
Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Service
Connecticut
A reception center that works to resettle refugees to Connecticut and provides services like legal care, health care access and education once they arrive. I liked this note from its website: Welcoming persecuted people from other countries is an ancient and universal custom. In the United States, it is our most noble tradition.
Refugee Services of Texas
Provides legal services to refugees and especially focuses on victims of human trafficking across the state of Texas
Iskashitaa Refugee Network
Tucson, Arizona
An organization that concentrates on uniting refugee and local communities through farming
Refugee Coffee Company
Greater Atlanta area
A small organization that provides coffee-related jobs for refugees
The Lantern Project
Greater Atlanta area
A faith-based Christian organization that links refugees with jobs
Ecumenical Refugee and Immigration Services
Colorado
Helps refugees resettled in Colorado with medical, education and other needs
RAICES
Texas
Provides free and low-cost legal services to immigrant and refugee families in Central and South Texas
Bilingual International Assistant Services
St. Louis, MO
Provides immigration and social services to refugee communities, including mental health programs
Bellevue/NYU Program for Survivors of Torture
New York City
Provides medical and mental health care, as well as legal services, for survivors of torture and war trauma
The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization
Oregon and SW Washington
Provides social services to refugee communities
