• Explainer

The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) was suspended by an executive order from President Trump in January. This pause affects refugee resettlement pathways, including the Welcome Corps.

In February, a lawsuit Pacito v. Trump was filed to challenge the suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, including the Welcome Corps. The International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) is leading the case and representing a combination of resettlement agencies, refugees, and a Welcome Corps sponsor group.

A federal court issued a preliminary injunction, which means the government must restart some refugee processing while the lawsuit continues. This applies only to refugees who were “conditionally approved” and had “arranged and confirmable” travel plans before January 20, 2025. Currently, the government is reviewing cases for 160 refugees who had confirmed travel dates within two weeks following the executive order.

In early July, “Pacito” – the plaintiff in the lawsuit challenging the suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program – safely resettled to the United States.

July 11, 2025: “I feel like I’m blessed. I was actually hopeless… [but] the minute the court said they’re going to process my case again, I was reborn. My energy was up again, I felt like now there is hope for the future.  Now that I’m here, I don’t even have the words to express it. Someone who has never been a refugee cannot understand that refugees do suffer… they don’t even have basic things. But we pray and hope that this case will open the way for them and they get a chance to change their life.” – “Pacito”

July 11, 2025: “Following a status conference earlier this week, the district court signaled its plans to issue an order by the end of the week outlining next steps on the processing required for thousands of other refugees who had their travel booked prior to the refugee suspension and who relied on the U.S. promise of resettlement before those plans were abruptly cancelled.” Read IRAP’s full statement here. 

Several other refugee families are scheduled to arrive. We know you may have questions about what this means for the Welcome Corps. Right now, the Welcome Corps continues to be suspended. Welcome Corps cases are not included in those currently being processed.   

The International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) is leading the lawsuit and representing a combination of resettlement agencies, refugees, and a Welcome Corps sponsor group. The case is ongoing, and we will continue to share updates as new developments occur.  You can see answers to common questions below, and follow ongoing updates from IRAP here.

Is the Welcome Corps resuming? Can I apply to the Welcome Corps?

The Welcome Corps remains suspended at this time, and the program is not processing applications. This includes all travel and overseas processing for privately sponsored refugees, and all certified or pending applications from U.S. sponsors. The Welcome Corps is not accepting new applications.

 

What does this mean for my Welcome Corps application?

At this time, processing for privately sponsored refugees is suspended. Because the Welcome Corps is suspended, the application portal is closed. You are not able to check the status of your application online. All application communications before the program suspension were conducted with your group coordinator. They will have a record of any application communications sent via email.

If you applied to welcome someone you know, and your application was certified:  

• An email was sent to your group coordinator at the time of certification.
• Information about the refugee(s) you applied to sponsor was referred to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program prior to January 24, 2025.

If you applied to welcome someone you know, and your application was not certified:  

• The refugee(s) named on your application have not been referred to the U.S. government for private sponsorship.
• At this time, Welcome Corps applications are not being processed. You are not able to renew or review your application to welcome them while the program is suspended.

If you had a pending application to be matched with a refugee family you don’t know:  

• You will not be able to welcome through the Welcome Corps at this time.
• You can apply to welcome an Afghan ally family through the Sponsor Circle Program. Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders are still able to lawfully arrive to the U.S., and they need a warm welcome.

 

What can I do to advocate for privately sponsored refugees?

Adding your voice to the thousands of Americans who have shared their support for sponsorship programs lifts up the real impact on communities who have been left in the dark about the future of private sponsorship. Whether you sign a petition, share your story, or contact your elected officials, our collective action reminds decision makers that American communities are ready and eager to welcome. Here are a few ways you can get involved:

• Contact your Members of Congress and ask them to urge the administration to fully resume refugee processing, including sponsorship pathways through the Welcome Corps.
• Sign the petition calling on local, state, and federal government leaders to ensure that the U.S. refugee program resumes in full capacity for all refugee populations.
• Share stories of welcome in your community. Whether you are a current sponsor or waiting to sponsor, your story matters and adds to public pressure to restore refugee resettlement.
• Take the #WeWillWelcome pledge and download the toolkit for more storytelling tips.

For more resources on how to take action through advocacy, education, giving, and community, visit the Sponsor Circles World Refugee Day action toolkit.