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In this issue:

Educate

Staying Current on Immigration Policy and its Implications
From Welcome.US: Conversation Guide for Talking About Immigration News

Inspire

Friends of Somalia Statement in Support of Refugees
Northern Virginia RPCV “New Beginnings” Sponsorship Group Discusses Assistance to Afghan Family

Mobilize

In each issue, you are also able to register for all upcoming events, view recordings of past events, access “Welcoming Refugees: A Guide to Volunteer Opportunities for the Peace Corps Community,” volunteer with our PCC4Refugees team, donate to support our work, link to our website and follow us on social media. All of this is in the issue below!

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Staying Current on Immigration Policy and its Implications

It is difficult to keep up with changes in federal immigration policy and enforcement actions. Changes include sharp reductions in the number of refugees arriving in the US, a dismantling of the refugee support system, termination of Temporary Protected Status for people from specified countries, increased fees for processing immigration-related actions, travel bans for people from designated countries, stricter enforcement of immigration laws, including enhanced removals (deportations) by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Many of these actions are being litigated in the courts further adding to the challenge of keeping up.

Church World Service (CWS) issues daily updates on the current State of Play in immigration policy and enforcement. These updates include current asks for national, state, and local leaders, and the latest headlines and community resources. The online version of this resource is available here. In addition, CWS is partnering with USAHello on State of Play Recap: This Week in Immigration Policy. Every Friday, this newsletter provides a recap of recent immigration and refugee policy developments from the past week and explains how they may affect immigrants and their communities. This resource is translated into multiple languages and designed for immigrant and refugee readers.

In addition, the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP), the National Immigration Law Center provide useful information on changing policies and developments. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) provides valuable information and training materials on Immigrant rights.

Conversation Guide for Talking About Immigration News

From Welcome.US:

When developments like these hit close to home, it’s natural to want to talk about them with friends, family, coworkers, and other members of your community. Those conversations can be powerful, but they can also be challenging.

That’s why we’ve developed a conversation guide to help you:

Start thoughtful, grounded discussions
Navigate tough questions and moments of disagreement
Address misinformation and misunderstandings with clarity and care

Explore the Guide

Friends of Somalia Statement in Support of Refugees

In 2025, the administration issued a proclamation suspending the entry of immigrants from 19 countries, including Somalia.

In response, members of the Friends of Somalia RPCV group issued a statement standing in solidarity with the Somali-American community that was being disparaged by the President and his administration. They sent the statement to newspapers and elected officials, posted it on social media and shared it with community members.

Several members adapted the statement as letters to the editors of local newspapers. So far, these been published in Philadelphia, Honolulu and a paper in California.

If other RPCV groups who served in the 19 targeted countries made similar actions to support immigrants from those countries, please let us know!

Northern Virginia RPCV “New Beginnings” Sponsorship Group Discusses Assistance to Afghan Family

Despite restrictions on new immigrant arrivals and cutbacks in funding for immigrant support, some refugees and holders of Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) are still arriving. New arrivals and refugees already in country often need help to make their way in our communities.

Listen to RPCVs and other volunteer sponsors with New Beginnings for Refugee Families in northern Virginia along with their RPCV partners in Richmond share their experiences in supporting an Afghan family that arrived in April 2025 on SIVs. In the video of their January 7, 2026 presentation, they discuss:

Steps the New Beginnings group took to prepare prior to the family’s arrival, including looking for affordable housing, collecting furniture and household items; identifying community resources and establishing a Go Fund Me campaign to
help finance the family’s initial expenses.
How they communicated with the family prior to arrival.
Support upon the family’s arrival, including arranging for transportation, leasing and setting up the apartment, helping with move in, grocery shopping, arranging medical appointments, applying for public benefits, enrolling the children in school, doing budget planning and banking; and procuring phones and computers.
Ongoing support for the family provided by the Richmond RPCV group when the family decided to move from northern Virginia to Richmond.

For a further discussion of these activities and resources you can use to help guide your efforts, see Things You Can Do to Help Immigrants Successfully Resettle in Your Community.

Join us for upcoming Peace Corps Community for Refugees informal discussions. See the schedule and register below.

Register for our Next Networking Conversations

PCC4Refugees Conversation Series continues, with our schedule set for the upcoming months. Register to join us in sharing resources and information in an informal online setting. No agenda. No recording. But great networking!

Wednesday, March 4
Thursday, April 9
Tuesday, May 12
Wednesday, June 17
Thursday, July 9
Tuesday, August 11
Wednesday, September 16

All conversations begin at 8 pm Eastern and will be open for one hour.

Our mission

The mission of Peace Corps Community for Refugees (PCC4Refugees) is to inspire and mobilize the Peace Corps community to help those seeking refuge in our country and to advocate and educate on their behalf.

Archived Webinar Recordings

Welcoming Refugees – An introduction to our newly-launched guide and Switchboard, a one-stop online resource hub (recorded Sept. 26, 2024)

Career Pathways in the Refugee Resettlement Sector, co-hosted with RPCVnexus (recorded Oct. 21, 2024)

Advocacy Forum to Review Refugee-related Legislation (recorded Nov. 18, 2024)

RPCV/RPCV Group Showcase (recorded Dec. 11, 2024)

Know Your Rights (recorded Jan. 28, 2025)

Advocating at the State and Local Levels (recorded Feb. 12, 2025)

Serving the Educational Needs of New Immigrant Families (recorded Mar 4, 2025)

Federal Advocacy on Behalf of Refugees, Asylees, and Other Immigrants (recorded April 8, 2025)

(Note: the content of each webinar is as of the dates noted. Some content may now be outdated.)

Webinar Recordings

Updated! Welcoming Refugees: A Guide to Volunteer Opportunities for the Peace Corps Community

This Guide, developed by the PCC4Refugees team, is to inspire more RPCVs and others to use their unique cross-cultural and language skills to welcome refugees and help them resettle in the United States. The guide provides information on a wide range of welcoming services that individuals and groups of RPCVs can provide for refugees in their communities and along the border.

Read the guide

Register for Upcoming Conversations

Note that we will add further details on individual sessions as we get closer to their dates. Details subject to change. All conversations are from 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm (note the new time!) in the Eastern U.S. time zone.

PCC4Refugees Needs You!

Volunteer Opportunities with Peace Corps Community for Refugees

Join our Advocacy, Communication, Partnership, and Membership teams! We need writers, editors, graphic designers, reporters, advocates, recruiters, speakers, organizers, relationship builders, and innovators. All around, pinch hitters are welcome too!

Please email info@PCC4Refugees.org to express interest.

Support PCC4Refugees!

PCC4Refugees is run entirely by volunteers, but our website and crucial database are not free. Help us best share key information with you and facilitate networking with your financial contribution.

Donate

Please visit these pages of our website for regularly updated resources and opportunities: