International Refugee Assistance Project

International Refugee Assistance Project Everyone should have a safe place to live and a safe way to get there.

IRAP is a global legal aid and advocacy organization working to create a world where refugees and all people seeking safety are empowered to claim their right to freedom of movement and a path to lasting refuge.

Five years ago, the United States withdrawal from Afghanistan left thousands of Afghan allies facing an uncertain and da...
08/13/2026

Five years ago, the United States withdrawal from Afghanistan left thousands of Afghan allies facing an uncertain and dangerous future. Many risked their lives to support the U.S. mission and were promised a pathway to safety. Instead, years of Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) delays kept families separated and left allies stranded in danger.

Today, travel and visa restrictions are preventing Afghan nationals, including SIV applicants, from reaching the United States. Afghan communities already living here are also facing arrest, deportation, and threats to their legal status.

TAKE ACTION NOW: https://refugeerights.quorum.us/campaign/167455/?c_src=eng_all_email_Anno_email_Help%20Afghan%20allies%20reach%20safety_&utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Announcements_CY26_Help_+Afghan_allies_reach_safety_20260608_&utm_term=https%3a%2f%2frefugeerights.quorum.us%2fcampaign%2f167455%2f&utm_id=145359&sfmc_id=61223329

August marks five years since the end of the United States military withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban takeover...
08/12/2026

August marks five years since the end of the United States military withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban takeover of the country. In the time since, the United States government has increasingly turned its back on Afghan refugees, including those who risked their lives to support the U.S. mission in Afghanistan.

IRAP opposes the Trump administration’s continued attacks on Afghan allies, which include stripping them of legal status, targeting them for deportation, and dismantling the systems that support SIV holders and other Afghan refugees. We continue to represent Afghans in individual immigration proceedings and through multiple federal lawsuits

Read the full statement: https://refugeerights.org/news-resources/five-years-after-u-s-withdrawal-afghan-refugees-are-abandoned-abroad-and-targeted-in-the-u-s

📅 Webinar: Understanding Temporary Protected StatusThis Wednesday at 6pm ET, join IRAP, Communities United for Status an...
08/10/2026

📅 Webinar: Understanding Temporary Protected Status

This Wednesday at 6pm ET, join IRAP, Communities United for Status and Protection (CUSP), and Haitian Bridge Alliance for a free webinar on the current state of TPS.

Direct event link: bit.ly/TPS-updates
Be sure to save the time, date, and link in your calendar!
Interpretation available in kreyòl ayisyen, العربية, and नेपाली.

This event is free and open to all. Share with anyone who may be affected by the termination of TPS.

Last week, our team joined Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, NYC Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs, Communities...
07/14/2026

Last week, our team joined Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, NYC Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs, Communities United for Status and Protection (CUSP) and Muslim Advocates to inform members of the TPS community what to expect following the Supreme Court’s decision allowing the Trump administration to terminate Temporary Protected Status designations with little to no oversight.

We walked through the current status of TPS, answered community members’ questions, and shared resources to help people understand their options and rights.

TPS policy is evolving rapidly, and access to clear, accurate information can make all the difference for families navigating this uncertainty. We’re grateful to Rep. Ocasio-Cortez and her team for creating the space to bring this information directly to the people it affects most.

For these countries, work authorization does not end before your TPS status ends. If you have valid TPS status, you have...
07/10/2026

For these countries, work authorization does not end before your TPS status ends. If you have valid TPS status, you have authorization to work in the United States. However, these dates could change based on upcoming court decisions.

IRAP is updating our legal information guide (in 13 languages) frequently as information changes. Stay updated at bit.ly/TPS-en

07/10/2026

Sharif Aly, IRAP’s President, says “America should be a place of hope, a place of safety, and a place people can call home.”

His message concludes What We Carry Forward: 250 Years of New Americans — a collection of migration stories, family stories, and reflections from members of the IRAP community.

Explore the full collection at refugeerights.org/250.

07/09/2026

What does it mean to carry America forward?

For Maimuna, it means building a country that lives up to its promise, where everyone has the opportunity to pursue happiness, and where success is measured not only by what we achieve, but by how we give back.

Her story is part of What We Carry Forward: 250 Years of New Americans — a collection of migration stories, family stories, and reflections from members of the IRAP community. Explore the full collection at refugeerights.org/250.

The story of America is carried forward through the memories, courage, and dreams of those who came before us.When Valar...
07/08/2026

The story of America is carried forward through the memories, courage, and dreams of those who came before us.

When Valarie Kaur’s grandfather, Kehar Singh, arrived in the United States from Punjab in 1913, he was detained on Angel Island in California. Valarie reflects on how places like Angel Island connect generations across time, reminding us that history is not only something we inherit, but something we continue to shape together.

Every story adds to America's story. Read more reflections from the IRAP community at refugeerights.org/250

07/07/2026

For generations, America's story has been shaped by people, cultures, and communities coming together across borders.

This reflection reminds us of what's possible when we welcome one another, learn from each other, and recognize the humanity we all share.

This is one of many stories from What We Carry Forward: 250 Years of New Americans. Explore more reflections from across the IRAP community at refugeerights.org/250

As America marks 250 years, we're reflecting on the people and moments that remind us what welcome can look like in prac...
07/06/2026

As America marks 250 years, we're reflecting on the people and moments that remind us what welcome can look like in practice.

Jane’s story is a reminder that opening our communities to newcomers can also change the way we see the world ourselves. Through acts of welcome, we gain new perspectives, new connections, and a deeper understanding of one another.

Every story adds to America's story. Read more reflections from the IRAP community at refugeerights.org/250

Photo courtesy of Jane

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