• Blog
• June 20, 2025

Across the country, thousands of people have stepped forward to welcome refugees and newcomers. Sponsors are ordinary people who offer their time and talent to welcome newcomers fleeing war, persecution, and displacement. Whether it’s a group of veterans in Indiana, a congregation in Texas, or a circle of neighbors in Minnesota, one question often comes up when a new sponsor group is forming: Why do they do it?

Recently, Community Sponsorship Hub conducted a survey of more than 1,000 sponsors, and the answers are as varied as sponsors themselves. Overall, sponsors surveyed pointed to five powerful motivations: a belief in American values, concern for loved ones, commitment to one’s faith, the desire to make a positive difference, and the search for meaningful ways to engage with our communities.

Understanding sponsor motivations offers valuable guidance for both program development and policymaking. Here’s a deeper look at what we’ve heard from sponsors who have shared what motivates them to welcome.

 

American values

Many sponsors are motivated by a desire to live out deeply held American values, like freedom, fairness, opportunity, and the belief that everyone deserves a safe place to build their lives. Sponsors surveyed across all programs cited American values and moral duty. These motivations were highest among Sponsor Circle Program participants, many who welcomed Afghan allies after the fall of Kabul and continue to welcome Afghan allies today through the program.

“I’ve never felt so American as when I picked up a refugee family fleeing war and persecution from the airport and brought them to a new home provided by the generosity of my community.”
Brooke, Wisconsin

Sponsorship is an act of patriotism. It’s about taking responsibility for the country they love and helping it live up to its highest ideals. They believe that welcoming refugees honors America’s legacy as a beacon of hope and refuge.

“When we think about ‘what’s patriotism?’ It’s the love of your country. To me, what greater way to show the love of your country than to share that with others?”
Matt, Indiana

Concern for loved ones

For some, the decision to sponsor is closer to home. They might be driven by the opportunity to help a family member or friend who has been separated from their loved ones and without prospects for returning. Compared to rapid-response programming, Welcome Corps sponsors were more often motivated by personal relationships, whether they wanted to sponsor a family member or a friend.

“Watching their joy and relief, seeing them hug each other after so long, was overwhelming. It’s a reminder of why this work matters. Moments like that make every challenge worth it.”
Shaza, Minnesota

Through the Welcome Corps, U.S. sponsors could refer a refugee they know to the government to be considered for resettlement. For example, veterans applied to sponsor Afghan allies who served alongside U.S. troops; faith groups applied to sponsor refugees they met through missionary work; and former refugees who since rebuilt their lives in America applied to sponsor friends and family left behind.

“Family is everything in our culture. We didn’t leave because we didn’t like home. We left for safety and our children’s future.”
Ayden, Florida

Faith or spiritual beliefs

Faith communities have always played a leading role in refugee welcome. For many sponsors, the motivation to welcome is spiritual, a core teaching in their faith that calls for them to welcome the stranger, protect the vulnerable, and act with compassion.

“We want to change the narrative about how people perceive Christians in some of these topics like immigration. Our tagline is the reconciliation of all things and being a welcoming church to strangers.”
Janet, Oregon

Churches, synagogues, temples, and mosques across the country have come together to sponsor newcomers and help them rebuild their lives in a safe community. And they often work together across differences. Over 42% of sponsors surveyed said they built stronger interfaith connections through their work with newcomers.

“Part of my calling is to show God’s love in practical ways, including welcoming the stranger. Although [he] is Muslim and we are Christians, our different faiths did not stop us from connecting.”
Simone, Massachusetts

A desire to make a positive difference

In the face of global displacement, many people feel overwhelmed or powerless. Many sponsors say they were searching for a way to respond to the suffering they saw, and sponsorship gave them the chance to make a difference that was direct, meaningful, and life changing.

“It felt really powerful to actually be an agent of change and that we could actually do something.”
Megan, California

Others shared that what motivated them wasn’t just the desire to help someone in need, but the desire to set an example for future generations. Parents often involved their children in small but meaningful parts of the sponsorship journey, such as welcoming refugees at the airport, helping gather donated items, or playing together at a local park.

“When you have a chance to show your kids good deeds, I think it does more than telling them about good deeds or reading about them in a book.”
Yoni, Florida

A meaningful way to engage your community

Finally, many people describe the sponsor experience as one of the most meaningful things they’ve ever done. Sponsorship invites Americans to slow down, build lasting relationships, and engage their community on a deeper level. The outcomes of community sponsorship extend far beyond the initial act of welcome. Sponsorship not only helps newcomers build new lives – it transforms the communities that receive them.

“It was an ongoing lesson in the bonds — simultaneously thick and loose — that form between people in a collective effort. Welcoming someone into our community was itself a means of building that community.”
Saul, New York

Beyond the three to five core members, sponsor groups engage on average an additional 15-20 members of their community. These are volunteers who raise their hand when asked by their friends, family, colleagues, or even community members in a neighborhood group. They volunteer for things like running errands, collecting furniture or clothing, and helping navigate technology and government websites. Of sponsors surveyed, 72% reported feeling more connected to their local community after welcoming refugees and newcomers, and nearly 83% of sponsors reported stronger ties with members of their sponsor group.

“We were turning stuff away because we had so many people give us things. It was probably 30 people that helped us move because so many people just showed up.”
Holly, D.C.

The common thread

No matter what brings them to sponsorship, sponsors share a common thread. Whether driven by patriotism, compassion, faith or a desire to connect, they show up. Sponsors greet families at the airport, stock pantries, and share meals. They help fill out forms, drive to appointments and job interviews, and celebrate milestones with the individuals and families they welcome. Through it all, sponsors help refugees and newcomers find belonging.

Even though the court case challenging the suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program is ongoing, and the Welcome Corps remains indefinitely paused, communities across the country are acting with courage and compassion. This World Refugee Day, we invite you to learn more about welcoming newcomers and take action through advocacy, education, community, and giving to help us fight to restore sponsorship pathways for all refugees.