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 your sponsee is eligible for depend on their immigration status. Some spondees may be eligible for federally funded refugee services under the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement while others may not be. See more information below next to your affiliated program. Please note that even if an individual is not eligible for federally funded services, they may be eligible for some state-funded services.
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Sponsorship Program |
Newcomer’s Immigration Status |
ORR-Eligible?* |
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Refugee |
Yes |
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Ukrainians entering the United States through the Uniting for Ukraine program are granted humanitarian parole status. Under Section 401 of the Additional Ukrainian Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2022, some Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees are considered “Qualified Immigrants,” while others are not. |
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Qualified Immigrants
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Ukrainians granted humanitarian parole between Feb.24, 2022, and Sept. 30, 2023, and their spouses and children, and the parents and guardians of unaccompanied minors who are granted parole after Sept. 30, 2022. |
Yes |
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Non-Qualified Immigrants
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Ukrainians who were granted parole on or after Oct. 1, 2023, and are not reuniting with a close relative who was granted parole between Feb. 24, 2022, and Sept. 30, 2023. |
No |
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Parole Process for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguan and Venezuelans |
Cuban and Haitian Entrants |
Yes |
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Nicaraguan and Venezuelan Humanitarian Parolees |
No |
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*For more information about ORR eligibility, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
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