Who We Support
WTAP supports refugees who have recently been relocated to Arizona through the U.S. State Department’s resettlement program. These individuals and families, often having spent over a decade in refugee camps, arrive in the U.S. with legal refugee status and the opportunity to eventually become U.S. citizens.
Upon arrival, they are partnered with local resettlement agencies that guide them through the critical first steps of rebuilding their lives. Most arrive with very little, but they bring with them extraordinary resilience, resourcefulness, and a deep desire to create a better future.
The refugees we serve come from diverse backgrounds and from more than 50 countries across the globe. They are highly motivated to contribute, and historically within months of their arrival, they are expected to become self-sufficient. Many quickly find jobs, enroll in English classes, and enroll their children in school. They pay taxes, contribute to the local economy, and begin laying down strong roots in their new communities.
At WTAP, we meet these newcomers at a pivotal moment: offering essential household goods, connection, and compassion to help them begin again with dignity and hope.
Upon arrival, they are partnered with local resettlement agencies that guide them through the critical first steps of rebuilding their lives. Most arrive with very little, but they bring with them extraordinary resilience, resourcefulness, and a deep desire to create a better future.
The refugees we serve come from diverse backgrounds and from more than 50 countries across the globe. They are highly motivated to contribute, and historically within months of their arrival, they are expected to become self-sufficient. Many quickly find jobs, enroll in English classes, and enroll their children in school. They pay taxes, contribute to the local economy, and begin laying down strong roots in their new communities.
At WTAP, we meet these newcomers at a pivotal moment: offering essential household goods, connection, and compassion to help them begin again with dignity and hope.
In 2024 WTAP Welcomed and served 4,500+ newcomers primarily from Afghanistan, Syria, DRC, Honduras, Iraq, Myanmar (Burma), and Guatemala.
What is Resettlement?
Resettlement is the process of moving refugees from the country where they initially sought safety to a third country, such as the United States, that agrees to offer them long-term or permanent residence.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), resettlement is “the selection and transfer of refugees from a country in which they have sought protection to a third country that has agreed to admit them as refugees with permanent residence status.” It is one of three long-term solutions for refugees, alongside voluntary return to their home country and integration into their country of first asylum.
For many, resettlement is the only viable path forward after years, often decades, spent in refugee camps or living in unstable conditions. It protects refugees from being returned to danger (refoulement) and allows access to basic rights such as education, healthcare, and the ability to work and live freely.
Refugees resettled in the U.S. arrive with legal status, receive support during their transition, and have a clear pathway to becoming U.S. citizens. Resettlement offers not just safety: it provides a foundation for a new beginning.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), resettlement is “the selection and transfer of refugees from a country in which they have sought protection to a third country that has agreed to admit them as refugees with permanent residence status.” It is one of three long-term solutions for refugees, alongside voluntary return to their home country and integration into their country of first asylum.
For many, resettlement is the only viable path forward after years, often decades, spent in refugee camps or living in unstable conditions. It protects refugees from being returned to danger (refoulement) and allows access to basic rights such as education, healthcare, and the ability to work and live freely.
Refugees resettled in the U.S. arrive with legal status, receive support during their transition, and have a clear pathway to becoming U.S. citizens. Resettlement offers not just safety: it provides a foundation for a new beginning.
How Does the Refugee Resettlement Process Work in the U.S.?
Refugees approved for resettlement in the United States go through a rigorous, multi-step vetting process conducted by the U.S. government in partnership with international agencies. This process is designed to ensure both security and eligibility. It includes the following key steps:
How Many Refugees Does the U.S. Admit Each Year?
Since the inception of the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program in 1980, the United States has consistently offered safety and hope to refugees fleeing conflict and persecution. Each year, the number of refugees admitted is determined by the sitting administration, in consultation with Congress, based on global need and U.S. capacity.
While the admissions target can vary, the U.S. has consistently worked to provide refuge to those in need, demonstrating a commitment to addressing the challenges of global displacement and offering new opportunities to refugees seeking safety, stability, and a better future.
While the admissions target can vary, the U.S. has consistently worked to provide refuge to those in need, demonstrating a commitment to addressing the challenges of global displacement and offering new opportunities to refugees seeking safety, stability, and a better future.
Our Commitment to Fairness, Opportunity, and Community
At The Welcome to America Project (WTAP), we are dedicated to creating an environment where all refugees and individuals we serve feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. We believe that every person, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or background, deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and compassion.
We are dedicated to creating a welcoming space where individuals from all walks of life can find the resources, support, and opportunities they need to thrive in their new communities. We recognize that refugees bring a wealth of experience, talent, and resilience, and we strive to empower them to build fulfilling lives in the U.S.
At WTAP, we believe that the richness of different backgrounds makes our communities stronger. We’re dedicated to helping refugees overcome the challenges they face on their path to self-sufficiency. By offering practical support and ensuring everyone has access to the resources they need, we work to remove barriers and open doors to opportunity for each individual. Our approach is guided by fairness, respect, and a deep commitment to ensuring that every refugee, no matter where they come from, can find safety, opportunity, and a real sense of belonging in their new home.
At The Welcome to America Project (WTAP), we are dedicated to creating an environment where all refugees and individuals we serve feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. We believe that every person, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or background, deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and compassion.
We are dedicated to creating a welcoming space where individuals from all walks of life can find the resources, support, and opportunities they need to thrive in their new communities. We recognize that refugees bring a wealth of experience, talent, and resilience, and we strive to empower them to build fulfilling lives in the U.S.
At WTAP, we believe that the richness of different backgrounds makes our communities stronger. We’re dedicated to helping refugees overcome the challenges they face on their path to self-sufficiency. By offering practical support and ensuring everyone has access to the resources they need, we work to remove barriers and open doors to opportunity for each individual. Our approach is guided by fairness, respect, and a deep commitment to ensuring that every refugee, no matter where they come from, can find safety, opportunity, and a real sense of belonging in their new home.