How to Advocate for Refugee Rights in Your Community

Advocating for the rights of refugees in the United States is crucial to ensuring their safety, dignity, and successful integration into society. Refugee rights encompass a range of legal protections and entitlements under international law, designed to safeguard individuals who have been forced to flee their home countries due to persecution, conflict, or violence. In the U.S., these rights are navigated through a combination of federal laws, state regulations, and community support initiatives.

Understanding Refugee Rights

The rights of refugees under international law are primarily governed by the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol. These instruments outline the basic rights to which refugees are entitled, such as non-refoulement (not being returned to a place where they face serious threats), access to legal work, education, public relief, and assistance.

In the U.S., refugee rights are further detailed by various laws and policies that provide refugees with protections and services. For example, the educational rights of refugees in the U.S. ensure access to public education for refugee children, while other policies guarantee access to health care, legal aid, and employment opportunities.

How to Advocate for Refugee Rights in Your Community

1. Educate Yourself and Others

Understanding refugee rights in the U.S. is the first step in becoming an effective advocate. Resources such as “A Guide to Understanding Refugee Rights” can provide valuable insights into the rights of refugees and their protections under both international and U.S. law.

2. Support Refugee Resettlement Programs

Private sponsorship of newcomers entering the US through humanitarian parole programs is a powerful way to make a direct impact. Humanitarian sponsorship enables individual Americans or sponsor groups to support eligible newcomers from designated countries by taking on the responsibility of welcoming newcomers into the community and facilitating their integration. Beneficiaries of these humanitarian parole pathways can stay in the US for up to two years but must have a sponsor in the U.S. who agrees to help them become self-sufficient and provide financial and social support. If you’re interested in setting up a sponsor group in your community, you can learn more about next steps on the Sponsor Circles website. If you are interested in learning more about humanitarian sponsorship as an individual or are looking to connect with people seeking a sponsor, you can learn more about the process here.   

3. Engage in Community Sponsorship

Encourage increased refugee resettlement to the U.S. by forming a private sponsorship group through Welcome Corps or work together with your local resettlement affiliate to support refugee arrivals through co-sponsorship. Welcome Corps empowers private sponsor groups of at least five community members to sponsor a refugee or refugee family and help them integrate into the community. This can include helping them find and furnish an apartment, get a job, enroll their kids in school, and access community services. Sponsors can be matched with an individual/family or can apply to sponsor someone they know. Hear a private sponsorship group’s experience with Welcome Corps here and learn more about what it takes to sponsor a refugee on the Welcome Corps website.

4. Advocate for Policy Changes

Engage with local and national policymakers to advocate for laws and policies that protect and promote refugee rights. Participate in campaigns and initiatives organized by refugee advocacy groups, and consider joining or supporting organizations dedicated to this cause. Resources such as “The Role of NGOs in Refugee Resettlement” can provide guidance on how nongovernmental organizations influence refugee policies.

5. Volunteer With Refugee Support Organizations

Volunteering your time and skills with organizations that assist refugees can have a significant impact. These organizations often need help with language translation, legal services, job placement, and mentorship programs. Volunteering also allows you to develop a deeper understanding of the challenges refugees face and how to address them effectively.

6. Raise Awareness and Combat Stigma

Educate your community about the rights of refugees and the importance of supporting their integration. Combat the stigma attached to being a refugee by sharing positive stories and facts about refugees' contributions to society. 

7. Support Refugee Education

Education is a critical component of refugee integration. Support initiatives that provide educational opportunities for refugees, such as tutoring programs, scholarship funds, and advocacy for equitable access to education. 

8. Donate to Refugee Causes

Financial support is essential for many refugee aid programs. Consider donating to organizations that provide direct assistance, such as housing, medical care, and legal services. 

9. Participate in Local Integration Programs

Local communities play a vital role in the successful integration of refugees. Participate in programs that build stronger, more inclusive communities. 

The Importance of Advocacy

Advocacy for immigrants and refugees is not only about providing immediate support but also about creating a sustainable environment where refugees can thrive. By advocating for refugee rights in America, you contribute to a society that values human dignity and justice. Whether through direct action, policy advocacy, or community support, every effort counts in making a difference in the lives of refugees.

Promoting refugee rights in your community requires a multifaceted approach that includes education, direct support, policy advocacy, and community engagement. By understanding the rights of refugees and leveraging resources and programs designed to support them, you can make a meaningful impact. Remember, effective advocacy starts with awareness and grows through collective action. Engage in initiatives such as the US Welcome Circles to support and empower refugees in your community.

ICMC advocates for the rights of all uprooted people, including refugees, internally displaced persons, and all migrants. ICMC and its members remain committed to supporting immigration policies that produce more sustainable solutions.

ICMC’s efforts include protecting internally displaced children in Burkina Faso, providing support to survivors of gender-based violence in Malaysia, aiding displaced Ukrainians, and more.

We rely on donations to fund our critical humanitarian work and continue changing lives. Find out how you can make a difference and help migrants, internally displaced persons, and refugees in need today!

About the International Catholic Migration Commission

The International Catholic Migration Commission is a nonprofit organization that protects, serves, and advocates for displaced people throughout the world. We help refugees, asylum-seekers, victims of human trafficking, and migrants of all faiths, races, and ethnicities forge lives in safety and dignity.

With support from people like you, ICMC delivers humanitarian aid and social development, protects vulnerable migrants, contributes to refugee resettlement efforts, advocates before governments, and partners with civic leaders. We seek a sustainable solution to dangerous migration and refugee crises.

Find out more by visiting our website.