Biden administration invites ordinary citizens to help resettle refugees

President Joe Biden listens to a reporters question after speaking about the economy at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, Thursday, Jan.12, 2023.

Andrew Harnik / Andrew Harnik

The Biden administration is appealing to private citizens to directly sponsor refugees resettling in the United States from around the world, as part of the biggest shift in the U.S. program for displaced people since its launch in 1980.

Under Welcome Corps, launched last week, ordinary Americans will handle the logistics and financial commitments necessary to help refugees coming to the United States. Several other countries, including Canada and Australia, already have similar programs in place.

Alight is part of a consortium of non-profit organizations receiving federal funding to recruit, train and support the volunteers from places like book clubs and community centers for the American pilot program.