Latest changes to refugee admissions and the Welcome Corps
Background
USRAP is a government initiative, authorized by Congress in 1980, that provides a legal pathway for refugees to resettle in the United States. Through this program, refugees are granted the opportunity to become permanent residents and, ultimately, citizens of the United States.
The Welcome Corps, launched in 2023 by the U.S. State Department, allowed Americans and permanent residents to directly sponsor refugees for resettlement. Individuals and communities played an active role in welcoming and supporting refugees rebuilding their lives in the United States. Sponsors, in groups of at least five, helped refugees with housing, transportation, schooling, and finding jobs during their first months in the U.S. This approach to refugee resettlement encouraged community involvement and provided refugees with vital support as they integrated into American society.
Refugees sponsored through USRAP and the Welcome Corps were vetted by multiple U.S. security agencies and, if approved, were granted permission to enter, live, and work in the United States legally. Refugees who were resettled in the U.S. are able to stay permanently and have a pathway to citizenship after five years.
Below is a summary of what recent policy changes mean for the program and the people it served. Visit our Policy Updates page for expert guidance, FAQs, and other resources, and subscribe to receive emails with the latest updates.
Key changes
October 2025
- On Oct. 31, 2025, President Trump released the presidential determination on refugee admissions, allowing the United States to admit up to 7,500 refugees for the fiscal year 2026 (Oct. 1 2025–Sept. 30, 2026). Each fall, the president determines how many refugees the United States will aim to welcome through USRAP in the coming year. The cap of 7,500 is a historic low in the program’s 45-year history.
- While President Trump's determination does not provide details on refugee processing for those already in the USRAP pipeline, it prioritizes admitting Afrikaners from South Africa, “and other victims of illegal or unjust discrimination in their respective homelands.” The determination also reinforces the executive order that suspended USRAP, with the exception of the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security jointly determining that an admission is in the national interest and does not threaten the security or welfare of the United States.
February 2025
- On Feb. 26, 2025, the Welcome Corps program was terminated.
- In Feb. 2025, a lawsuit, Pacito v. Trump, was filed against the U.S. government’s decision to pause USRAP and cut off funds for refugee resettlement. We are tracking this lawsuit closely and will provide updates as it affects the future of refugee resettlement and the Welcome Corps program.
January 2025
- As of Jan. 22, 2025, all refugee processing by the departments of State and Homeland Security has been paused until further notice.
- All previously scheduled travel of refugees to the United States—including through the Welcome Corps—has been canceled, and no new travel will be scheduled.
- Intake of new applications for the Welcome Corps is suspended, as well as processing of all active or previously submitted applications.
- USRAP will not be accepting any new referrals of refugees into the program.
- Exemptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis as determined jointly by the secretaries of State and Homeland Security.
- If you have questions about a pending Welcome Corps case, please see our guide for contacting your congressional representatives for information on how to contact your representatives with concerns about a specific case or about sponsorship programs more generally.
Note: Refugees who have already arrived in the U.S. through USRAP and the Welcome Corps are not affected by this policy announcement and retain their legal status.
FAQ
How does the presidential determination on the refugee cap impact refugees arriving through USRAP?
Each fall, the president determines how many refugees the United States will aim to welcome through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) in the coming year. The cap of 7,500 is a historic low in the program’s 40 year history.
While President Trump's determination does not provide details on refugee processing for those already in the USRAP pipeline, it said most of the refugees admitted will be Afrikaners from South Africa, “and other victims of illegal or unjust discrimination in their respective homelands.”
The cap of 7,500 and prioritization of certain populations will delay thousands of families from reaching safety in the U.S.
I have an application in process. What happens next?
Refugee cases that have already been referred into USRAP through a certified Welcome Corps application currently remain in the pipeline, though their processing is on hold and no flights are being scheduled for refugee arrivals.
What does it mean to have a certified Welcome Corps application?
A certified application means information about the refugee(s) you applied to sponsor was referred to USRAP, and the refugee(s) named on your application has a case with the U.S. government.
If your Welcome Corps application was certified, an email was sent to your group coordinator at the time of certification.
If your Welcome Corps application was not certified, the refugee(s) named on your application do not have a USRAP or SIV number. This means they have not been referred to the U.S. government for private sponsorship and therefore do not have a case with the U.S. government.
How can I tell if the refugee(s) named in my Welcome Corps case were referred to USRAP?
The refugee(s) named in your Welcome Corps case were referred into USRAP if:
- Your group coordinator received an email from [email protected] stating that the refugee(s) named in your application were referred to USRAP.
- The refugee(s) named in your application have received a USRAP number. A USRAP case number consists of two letters followed by a 6-digit number, for example, JO-123456.
Are refugees I sponsored through the Welcome Corps who have already arrived in the U.S. affected by this policy?
Maybe. Refugees who have already arrived in the U.S. through the Welcome Corps are not at risk of losing their legal status, but may not be able to access some services funded by the federal government.
How does the pending lawsuit related to USRAP affect refugee processing and the Welcome Corps?
We are closely tracking the lawsuit, Pacito v. Trump, which challenged the U.S. government’s suspension of USRAP. We will provide more information once a final order is made. For more up-to-date information, you can follow the case here.
Are Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders affected by the USRAP suspension?
SIV holders can travel to the U.S. with private dollars, but they will not receive Reception and Placement (R&P) services.
An SIV holder may be an Afghan or Iraqi in any country with an approved visa in their passport and a valid passport or travel document.
The approved visa must include an Immigrant Visa case number, also known as the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) number. This number starts with 3 letters followed by 10 numbers. For example, KBL1234567890. This is not the NVC SIV Case Number.
How can I share my support for sponsorship programs or get help with my case?
You can:
- Contact your congressional representatives to express support for refugee sponsorship programs or get help with your application.
- Use our guide for contacting your federal representatives for detailed instructions.
