Overview
Welcoming refugees is a collective effort. Over the past two years, the U.S. Department of State has created several avenues for individuals and groups to support refugees and immigrants during and after their arrival in the United States. These programs included Sponsor Circle, Uniting for Ukraine, Welcome Corps and the Parole Process for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans.
Sponsors can be important guides for helping newcomers access benefits and services that they are eligible for in Washington state. This page is designed to give private sponsor groups and individuals the information they need to support newly arrived refugees and immigrants.
Benefits and Services in Washington
The benefits and services that sponsored newcomers are eligible for depend on their immigration status. Some sponsored newcomers may be eligible for federally funded refugee services under the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement while others may not be.
Individuals sponsored through Welcome Corps have refugee status, and are eligible for federally funded refugee services under ORR. For more information about ORR eligibility, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
For more information about the benefits and services that might be available in your area, view our interactive resource tool.
Resources for Private Sponsor Groups
Washington Welcome Corps Information Session - May 25, 2023
Seattle’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs and the Washington State DSHS Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance hosted a community information session about the new private sponsorship program for refugees on May 25, 2023. This information session included guest speakers from the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement and representatives from the Welcome Corps collective to share information about this new program.
To listen to the recorded session or to access available materials, see the links below:
For more information, visit Welcome Corps website.
Other Resources