2021 marks the 41st anniversary of the 1980 Refugee Act, landmark legislation that provided humanitarian protection to displaced populations fleeing persecution. The Refugee Act established the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, that now partners with nine non-governmental organizations including Episcopal Migration Ministries to resettle refugees in communities across the United States. In addition to this partnership between the U.S. government and civil society organizations, new organizations such as Welcoming America have emerged across the United States to help communities and their political, business, and faith leaders to assist with the integration of refugees and immigrants. Although these efforts have strengthened the reception of refugees across the United States, the work continues to refine ways to receive new populations to assist with integration in their new homes.
In order to help the Episcopal Church’s community learn more about the refugee reception process, Episcopal Migration Ministries and The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations hosted a webinar on June 1, 2021. The event featured the following experts:
- Jessica Darrow, Assistant Instructional Professor, the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, the University of Chicago
- Drocella Mugorewera, Executive Director of Bridge Refugee Services Inc. and Refugee Congress Delegate
- Rachel Peric, Executive Director, Welcoming America
View the recording here.
