In the face of conflict, oppression, economic collapse, political instability, and the shadows of climate change, our global humanitarian response systems are under unprecedented stress. More than 110 million people have been forced to flee their homes to seek safety. National and local governments, here and around the world, have struggled to keep pace with trends: in the United States, the number of refugees has tripled over the last three decades, but global refugee resettlement admissions have hardly budged. Increasingly, people in crisis are seeking safety by other means, taking dangerous journeys to meet an uncertain fate at unfriendly borders. The stress on cities and communities overwhelmed by the challenge of welcoming rising numbers of people in need of safety is hardening hearts to the devastating circumstances that have forced so many to flee, and increasing the toxicity of our politics.
Against this backdrop, a quiet movement of welcoming has taken hold, here in Boston and around our country. Community sponsors are helping those seeking refuge arrive in ways that are safe, orderly, and secure, with the support and services to thrive alongside their new communities. While global refugee resettlement and asylum systems have failed to keep up with trends, community sponsors are demonstrating a capacity to welcome far greater than that of governments alone.
Last month marked the one-year anniversary of the Welcome Corps, a new program described as “a bold experiment in refugee resettlement.” Launched by the U.S. Department of State, but made possible by the commitment of Americans, private sponsor groups of five or more people raise initial funding, connect families with housing, employment, education, English language classes and public services to help them navigate their new country and community. A sponsor’s most important role is that of a friend, neighbor, and guide — meeting families at the airport, planning dinners together, and introducing them to a new community when they have had to leave theirs behind. This sense of inclusion and belonging is critical to a new family’s success.
As the Welcome Corps program grows, compelling stories emerge from individuals and groups committed to creating a warm and supportive environment for those seeking refuge, including in Boston, a place with a rich immigrant history that has long been a city of Welcomers.
Simone Bamba, a former doctor and now a pastor at Maranatha Mission in Boston, formed a private sponsorship group with six fellow church members, many of whom are former immigrants and refugees. One group member, Edwige Fotso, came to the United States 17 years ago. As part of her decision to become a sponsor, she reflected on the challenges she faced as a newcomer, including knowing no one, learning a new language, and restarting her life.
When the group welcomed Ibrahim, a Somali refugee, over the summer, the community came together and provided the support that would allow him to gain a sense of independence in his new community, and country — from connecting him with a local mosque to helping him navigate the grocery store and public transportation, find employment, securing housing, and more. Now, eight months later, Ibrahim sees himself as part of the Maranatha Mission family and is interested in serving as a sponsor to others in need.
In December 2023, the Welcome Corps introduced its newest innovation: Allowing American sponsors to identify specific people they want to help bring to safety, including family or friends living in danger and from whom they have been separated, often for years. It provides a path for families to be reunited, empowers veterans to aid former colleagues from Afghanistan, and gives faith or other organizations serving populations in crisis a way to offer a permanent path to safety and freedom.
It is galvanizing American communities. In the first year, 15,000 Americans answered the call to serve with the Welcome Corps by applying to sponsor more than 7,000 refugees. More than 100 sponsor groups across 32 states have now welcomed refugees from around the world, and sponsors have come from backgrounds as diverse as veterans, faith groups, LGBTQIA+ organizations, and immigrants and formerly resettled refugees seeking to pay it forward by welcoming someone in danger. It underscores what Tocqueville said about us: Americans uniquely are called to action and service. We believe in the power of our communities coming together to make a lasting difference.
Beyond its impact on individuals and communities, the Welcome Corps and other sponsorship pathways are playing a pivotal role in addressing what’s been an intractable global displacement challenge: In the last 20 months since sponsorship pathways have been introduced, Americans have signed up to sponsor more refugee newcomers than the U.S.’ publicly-funded government systems have resettled in the last 20 years. Another way is possible. In the actions of these Americans, we are finding not only the promise of a new approach, but the proof that it works.
Nazanin Ash is the CEO of Welcome.US, a national initiative built to inspire, mobilize, and empower Americans from all corners to welcome and support those seeking refuge in the United States. Welcome.US is part of a consortium of six organizations that the State Department has designated to implement the Welcome Corps program.
