For a backgrounder on the refugee definition, see “Defining ‘Refugees’—An Exclusionary Legacy.” The 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, amended by the 1967 Protocol, defines a “refugee” as any person who “owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, […]
Author: USCRI
Honoring World Refugee Day
In May of 1939, a boat of German Jews aboard the St. Louis plead for asylum in the United States. They were denied entry and returned to Europe. 254 of the passengers were killed in the Holocaust. This unconscionable past haunts us. We made a commitment to ‘never again’. Never again would we force someone […]
Standing with Refugee Children
What does it mean to become a refugee before you’ve even had the chance to grow up? From Syria to Sudan, Myanmar to Afghanistan, children around the world are being displaced at unprecedented levels. Some are too young to understand why they’re running; others carry memories of war, persecution, or violence no child should ever […]
When the Law is Not Enough: The Persecution of LGBTQ+ Colombians
June is Pride Month in commemoration of the anniversary of the Stonewall riots, an uprising against the state-sponsored persecution of queer-and-trans people. Today, more than fifty years later, queer-and-trans people remain persecuted. On paper, Colombia has some of the strongest protections in the Americas for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LBGTQ+) individuals. But it […]
Termination of TPS for Cameroon and Nepal Puts Lives at Risk
Last week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) terminated Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Cameroon (published June 4, effective August 4, 2025) and Nepal (published June 6, effective August 5, 2025). These actions disregard ongoing humanitarian crises and place thousands of lives at risk—individuals who have built families, contributed to the economy, and strengthened […]
Travel ban targets 19 countries, including Afghanistan and Sudan
Today, the Administration rolled out travel restrictions targeting the citizens of nineteen countries. Travelers from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen are prohibited, with some exceptions. Meanwhile, there is a partial suspension on the issuance of certain visas, such as student exchange J visas, […]
USCRI Joins RCUSA for 2025 Advocacy Days on Capitol Hill
This week, alongside our partners at Refugee Council USA (RCUSA), USCRI spent two impactful days on Capitol Hill meeting with members of Congress and their staff to advocate for the rights and protections of refugees and immigrants. Constituents, former refugees, and longtime advocates shared their stories, opened up crucial conversations, and called for meaningful policy […]
Running for Refugees in Vermont
USCRI had a significant presence Memorial Day Weekend at Vermont’s largest single-day sporting event, the M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon & Relay. On Sunday, May 25, two USCRI Vermont relay teams, each consisting of five runners from full-time staff and the volunteer network, ran their hearts out to support USCRI’s mission. Scores of other runners […]
Supporting Relationships: Refugees and Host Communities
Cover Image Source: SuSanA Secretariat A refugee camp is a temporary settlement for the protection and aid of displaced populations. For refugees, a refugee camp can be an immediate safe haven. Host countries and international organizations establish refugee camps for a number of reasons. Refugee camps can be a politically expedient method of influx management, a […]
Webinar: Towards a #PeriodFriendlyWorld: Menstrual Hygiene in Displacement Settings in East Africa
May 28 is World Menstrual Hygiene Day. Menstrual health remains a critical yet often overlooked issue, especially in displacement settings where access to sanitary products, clean water, and privacy can be severely limited. Menstruation is not just a health issue, it can also impact girls’ access to education and their participation in community life. To mark […]
