USA for UNHCR announces our 2025 Sparking Change grantees in partnership with Refugee Congress and Welcoming America. This year’s cohort of grantees was chosen to support the creative, community-building solutions developed and delivered by refugees now residing in the United States.  

Refugee Congress is extremely concerned about the safety and protection of civilians and forcibly displaced people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as armed conflict between the national military and the militia group M23 escalated over the weekend.

Refugee Congress understands firsthand the benefit and importance of these resources. Each of our members has direct experience of forced displacement. We were forced to leave our homes, we found safety in the United States, and because of the welcome we’ve received, we are motivated to continue to give back and support the well-being of our new communities. Refugees contributed more than $123.8 billion to the U.S. economy, of which wouldn’t have been possible without the support received upon arrival.

As leaders who have experienced forced displacement and some who have been separated from families, Refugee Congress denounces not only the indefinite ban on refugee admissions, but also the betrayal of trust and hope for those who were initially approved for arrival and resettlement before the executive order’s effective date. Not only does this action betray American values of welcome, but it also undermines the integrity of American leadership as a nation committed to protecting our most vulnerable neighbors.

As an organization led by people who built a new life here in the U.S., we know firsthand that welcoming refugees, asylum seekers, immigrants, and newcomers makes America safer and stronger. Refugee Congress strongly condemns this unnecessary and inhumane targeting of our neighbors, and we remain dedicated to advocating for the rights, safety, and dignity of all who have been forcibly displaced and who seek safety in the United States.

“Today, we watch a transition of leadership that was borne out of a democratic process but is also a reminder of the fragility of democracy, when not upheld and protected. We must honor this day, and honor Dr. King by standing by our neighbors, welcoming those who seek refuge, and protecting the rights of our most vulnerable community members.”