About Refugee Congress
Refugee Congress is a national nonpartisan organization built and led by leaders who have experienced forced displacement.
With members across the United States, we use our voices and lived experience to inform and influence decisions on issues impacting our communities. We promote the equal participation and leadership of refugees, asylum seekers, and all forcibly displaced people at local, state, national and global levels in decision-making spaces. We support policies and efforts that protect the well-being and dignity of all who have experienced forced displacement. We know that policies and programs are more inclusive and equitable when they are informed and crafted by those who have lived experience.
Our Story
Refugee Congress was established in 2011 when the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) brought together former refugees and asylum seekers from across the United States (Delegates) for a convening focused on ensuring refugee and asylee input is included in the planning and programming for our communities.
Two years later, UNHCR organized another convening. As conversations evolved, Delegates to the Congress raised awareness of the critical need for refugees – the main stakeholders - to be at the table for all decision-making conversations. The idea to establish a permanent Refugee Congress was born, and we have been growing ever since.
Beginning with a Refugee Advisory Board, Refugee Congress incorporated in 2017 and established its first Board of Directors, and formed committees and caucuses to further our work. We hired our first full-time Executive Director in 2019.
Refugee Congress is a registered 501(c)3 organization.
Our Structure
Refugee Congress’ core members are former refugees, asylum seekers, and others who have experienced forced displacement and have been nominated and elected to be a Refugee Congress Delegate — the lead representative — for their states.
Delegates work with Associate Delegates and other team members in their states on local and national events focused on advocacy, outreach, assistance, and capacity-building.
Refugee Congress Honorary Delegates are former Delegates who have completed their term limits but continue to be active volunteers within Refugee Congress.
With more than 100 members from 35+ countries across five continents, Refugee Congress Delegates and members are community leaders with professional expertise in education, medicine, nonprofit management, advocacy, and more. Their talents, stories, and lived expertise represent the diversity of experiences of forcibly displaced populations in the United States.
Our Governance
Refugee Congress is governed by a Board of Directors composed entirely of people who have experienced forced displacement. Board members are elected by Refugee Congress Delegates.
In addition to the governance of the Board of Directors, Refugee Congress Delegates, Honorary Delegates, and Associate Delegates serve on committees that provide direction on advocacy and communications, fundraising, and member recruiting and retention.
Refugee Congress members along with outside volunteers also join together to work on issues and areas of interest in caucuses. Current active caucuses focus on youth and education.