Mariko Hirose, IRAP Litigation Director, addresses journalists at an outdoor press conference. She is surrounded by several journalists with cameras, microphones and notepads. She has straight, shoulder length black hair and wears a white blouse and black blazer.

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Jul 20, 2023

IRAP Welcomes Sharif Aly in New Role as President

The International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) is thrilled to announce that Sharif Aly has joined the organization in the new role of President of IRAP. As part of this expansion of IRAP’s Executive Leadership Team, Becca Heller, Co-Founder and Executive Director, will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Press Release

Jun 20, 2023

On World Refugee Day, Calls for Biden Administration to Accelerate Family Reunifications

On a press call held to commemorate World Refugee Day, Congressman Ted Lieu joined advocates, experts, and affected individuals to highlight the tens of thousands of separated refugee families waiting to reunite in safety and called on the Biden administration to make family reunification pathways more efficient, more equitable, and more transparent. 

Press Release

Apr 18, 2023

Fight to Access Trump Report on Muslim Ban Continues After New Court Ruling

Yesterday, a Connecticut federal judge ruled in a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) case that the U.S. government has not proved that a report on the Muslim ban issued by the Trump administration can be shielded from the public under the presidential communications privilege.

Press Release

Apr 11, 2023

After Seven-Year Separation, Somali Refugee Files Lawsuit to Reunite with Family

Today, Rabi Mohamed, a resettled Somali refugee who has been separated from his wife and their sons for over seven years, filed a lawsuit against the United States government with the support of the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) and Prokosch Law LLC. The lawsuit challenges USCIS’s unnecessary requests for evidence to prove the family’s relationship, which has blocked the Mohameds from reuniting for years.

Press Release

Jan 19, 2023

IRAP Celebrates Launch of Private Sponsorship Program for Refugees 

Today, the Biden Administration launched the Welcome Corps, an innovative program that will allow groups of Americans to directly sponsor refugees to resettle in their communities. IRAP will support the Welcome Corps as an unfunded consortium partner focused on developing legal resources and guidance for sponsors and refugees.

Press Release

Jan 5, 2023

Separated Muslim Burmese Refugee Family Sues U.S. Government

Today, a Burmese mother who has been separated from her husband for nearly a decade filed a lawsuit calling on the U.S. government to reunite her family. She is represented by the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP).

Press Release

Sep 28, 2022

IRAP Urges Biden Administration to Meet 125,000 Refugee Admissions Target

Yesterday, President Biden signed a new Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions maintaining the refugee admissions target at 125,000 refugees for Fiscal Year 2023. The International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) urges the Biden administration to commit and prioritize the resources necessary to meet its goal. 

Press Release

Sep 8, 2022

Ahead of Refugee Admissions Announcement, State and Local Officials From All 50 States Urge Investment in Refugee Resettlement

Today, 385 state and local elected officials from across the country sent President Biden a letter urging him to meet his administration’s commitment to resettle refugees in Fiscal Year 2023 by restoring the nation’s refugee resettlement infrastructure.

Press Release

Aug 23, 2022

IRAP Shares an Extensive Collection of Refugee Processing Documents Obtained Through FOIA

Through FOIA, IRAP has obtained an extensive collection of documents related to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. Together, these documents shine a light on the generally opaque U.S. refugee processing system. 

Blog Post

Aug 9, 2022

IRAP Welcomes the Congressional Introduction of the Afghan Adjustment Act

Today, members of Congress announced the introduction of the Afghan Adjustment Act, which would provide a pathway to permanent lawful status for tens of thousands of Afghans who were evacuated to the United States during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. The International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) welcomes and endorses the life-altering pathways to citizenship included in this bill and thanks its sponsors for their leadership.

Press Release

Aug 4, 2022

Press Call Offers Reminder of Continued U.S. Obligations to Afghans, One Year After Start of Withdrawal and Evacuation 

On a press call, advocates and experts reflected on the one year anniversary of the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan and the chaotic evacuation process that accompanied it. The speakers detailed the continued need for the United States to fulfill its moral, congressional, and court-ordered obligations to protect tens of thousands of Afghans at risk, including Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program applicants, human rights defenders, and women and children at risk. 

Press Release

Jun 2, 2022

IRAP Lawsuit Calls on U.S. Government to Reunite Sri Lankan Refugee Family

Today, the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) filed a lawsuit on behalf of a Sri Lankan Tamil refugee living in Texas who has been waiting to reunite with his wife and children in the United States via the “follow-to-join” (FTJ) program.

Press Release