About Refugee Congress
Refugee Congress is built and led by former refugees, asylum-seekers, and other vulnerable migrants
Refugee Congress is a national nonpartisan organization built and led by former refugees, asylum-seekers, and other vulnerable migrants to promote the wellbeing and dignity of all vulnerable migrants.
With members in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, we use our voices and experiences to inform and influence decision-makers on critical issues that affect our communities.
Our Story
Refugee Congress was established in 2011 when UNHCR brought together former refugees and asylum-seekers from across the U.S. for a convening focused on ensuring refugee and asylee input in planning and programming impacting our communities. Two years later, UNHCR organized another convening.
As conversations evolved, Delegates to the Congress acknowledged that advocacy happens year-round and the need for refugees to be at the table for all decision-making conversations is critical. 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 comprised of Refugee Congress Delegates, and formed committees and caucuses to further our work. We hired our first full-time National Director in 2019 and added a full-time Advocacy & Communications Associate position in 2020.
Refugee Congress is fiscally sponsored by CWS and is working toward establishing itself as an independent 501(c)3 organization.
We are also grateful to USA for UNHCR, whose partnership and financial support has helped Refugee Congress to formalize and grow.
Our Structure
Refugee Congress core members are former refugees, asylum-seekers, and other vulnerable migrants who are nominated and elected to be the Delegate — the lead representative — for their states.
Delegates work with Associate Delegates and other team members work together across the country and on national, state, and local 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 with Refugee Congress.
Our diverse and experienced members come from more than 30 countries of origin. We are active, engaged volunteers who have professional experience in a range of professional fields, including as doctors, nurses, teachers, students, journalists, civil servants, business owners, attorneys, social workers, nonprofit managers, religious leaders, and many others.
Our Governance
Refugee Congress is governed by a Board of Directors composed entirely of former refugees and asylum-seekers who also serve as Refugee Congress Delegates or Honorary Delegates and are elected by their peers.
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 as well as outside volunteers also join together to work on issues and areas of interest in caucuses. Currently active caucuses focus on youth and education, asylum, women, and mental health.