The United States of America is launching a new program to support and assist in the resettlement of refugees – Welcome Corps. This program gives Americans the opportunity to support refugees directly.

The State Department announced the launch of a humanitarian program that allows groups of American citizens, as well as Green Card holders, to financially sponsor the resettlement of refugees fleeing war and violence around the world.

The Welcome Corps program provides for the creation of sponsor groups of at least five people who will support the migrants.

A sponsoring group wishing to participate in the program must meet certain conditions:

• collect 2275 dollars for each refugee;
• to pass the verification of personal data;
• provide a plan to help refugees.

Approved private sponsors are committed to helping refugees for at least 90 days after they arrive in the US.

Sponsors will also help newcomers find housing and access essential items and services such as food, health care, education and social benefits to which they are entitled.

During the first phase of the program, the State Department will facilitate meetings between private sponsors and refugees arriving during the first six months of 2023. In the second phase of the program, which will begin in mid-2023, private sponsors will be able to independently find refugees for support.

In the first year of the Welcome Corps, the State Department will try to mobilize 10,000 Americans to act as private sponsors and lend a helping hand to at least 5,000 refugees.