The International Rescue Committee is a nonprofit that helps refugees and immigrants resettle in the United States

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a private organization that works with the U.S. government to resettle refugees and help immigrants navigate their first months in America. The IRC does not make decisions about who gets admitted to the country — that is the State Department's job — but once someone arrives, the IRC provides housing, job training, language classes, and connections to local services. If you are a refugee or immigrant who has recently arrived, the IRC may be one of the organizations helping you, or it may be able to refer you to services in your area.

The IRC operates in about 20 U.S. cities and works with a network of smaller local partners in many more. Which organization actually helps you depends on where you land. Some people work with the IRC directly; others work with a smaller resettlement agency that the IRC partners with. Either way, the services are similar: housing for your first few months, help finding work, English classes, and information about schools, healthcare, and benefits you may be able to use.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRC is a nonprofit resettlement agency that works with the U.S. government to help refugees and some immigrants after they arrive in America.
  • The IRC provides housing, job training, English language classes, and referrals to local services during your first months in the country.
  • The IRC operates directly in about 20 cities and partners with smaller local organizations in many others.
  • If you are a refugee or recent immigrant, you can contact your local IRC office or call 211 to find out which resettlement organization is working in your area.
  • The IRC's help is time-limited — usually 30 to 90 days of housing and intensive support, after which you move to longer-term community services.

What services the IRC provides in the first months after arrival

When a refugee or immigrant first arrives through the IRC, the organization typically provides temporary housing, usually for 30 to 90 days. During that time, an IRC caseworker helps you find a job, enroll in English classes, and understand how to access healthcare, schools, and public benefits. The IRC also helps with practical tasks like opening a bank account, getting a Social Security number, and understanding how to use public transportation.

The IRC does not provide cash information directly, but it connects you to programs that do — such as Temporary information for Needy Families (TANF) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if you meet the requirements. The IRC also helps you understand your rights as a worker and immigrant, including what to do if an employer is not paying you fairly or treating you legally.

After the initial resettlement period ends, the IRC refers you to longer-term community services. These might include job training programs, community colleges, mental health services, or nonprofits that help with housing, childcare, or other needs. The IRC's role is to get you stable enough to use these services on your own.

How to find your local IRC office or resettlement partner

If you are a refugee or recent immigrant and you do not yet know which organization is helping you, start by calling 211 from any phone. This is a free helpline that connects you to local social services. Tell them you are a refugee or recent immigrant and ask which resettlement organization works in your area. They can tell you whether it is the IRC directly or a partner organization, and they will give you the phone number and address.

You can also visit the IRC's website and use their office locator tool to find the nearest IRC office. If you are already working with a caseworker — from the government, a school, or another nonprofit — ask them which resettlement organization you are assigned to. They will have that information in your file.

If you arrived as a refugee through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, you were assigned to a resettlement organization before you landed. That organization should have contacted you within a few days of your arrival. If you have not heard from anyone, call 211 or contact your local refugee services office (usually run by your state's department of human services).

What happens after the IRC's initial resettlement support ends

The IRC's intensive support — housing, daily casework, job placement — typically lasts 30 to 90 days. After that, you are expected to be working or in school and living in your own housing. This does not mean the IRC abandons you; it means you move to a different kind of help. Many IRC offices offer ongoing job coaching, English classes, and referrals to community services for months or even years after you arrive.

The transition can feel sudden if you are not prepared. Before your housing support ends, your caseworker should help you find permanent housing, understand your lease, and know how to pay rent. They should also connect you to a job or job training program and make sure you know how to get to work or school on your own. If you are struggling after the initial period ends, tell your caseworker before the end date — they may be able to extend help or connect you to emergency services.

How the IRC differs from government refugee services

The IRC is a private nonprofit, not a government agency. It receives funding from the U.S. government to resettle refugees, but it is not part of the State Department or Department of Homeland Security. This means the IRC does not make immigration decisions, issue visas, or determine who gets admitted to the country. The IRC's job starts after you have already been approved and have arrived.

Some services you may need — like immigration legal help, asylum processing, or green card renewal — are not provided by the IRC. For those, you will need to work with an immigration attorney, a legal aid organization, or a government office. Your IRC caseworker can refer you to organizations that provide these services, but they cannot do the work themselves.

If you need help with immigration legal matters, ask your caseworker for a referral to a nonprofit legal clinic. Many cities have organizations that provide free or low-cost immigration legal help to refugees and immigrants. The IRC often knows which ones are trustworthy and can connect you.

What to bring when you contact the IRC or a resettlement office

When you first reach out to the IRC or your local resettlement organization, have the following information ready: your full name, date of birth, the date you arrived in the United States, and the city or state where you are now. If you have any documents — a passport, travel documents, a letter from the government, or paperwork from another organization — have those nearby. You do not need to have everything perfect; the caseworker will help you gather what you need.

If you are calling on behalf of someone else — a family member or friend — be ready to explain your relationship and why you are calling. The organization may not be able to discuss details with you if the person has not given permission, but they can usually take your contact information and pass it along.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the IRC help people who are not refugees?

The IRC primarily works with refugees admitted through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. Some IRC offices also help certain immigrants, such as survivors of human trafficking or people fleeing violence, but this varies by location. Call 211 or your local IRC office to ask whether they can help your situation.

How long does the IRC provide housing?

Most IRC offices provide temporary housing for 30 to 90 days. The exact length depends on your situation, your job search progress, and your local office's resources. Your caseworker will tell you the expected end date when you arrive and will help you find permanent housing before that date.

What if I disagree with my caseworker or need to switch to someone else?

Talk to your caseworker first about your concerns. If you still want to switch, ask to speak with a supervisor. The IRC and resettlement organizations want to help you succeed, and they take complaints seriously. You can also call 211 to ask about other services in your area.

Can the IRC help me bring family members to the United States?

The IRC does not make immigration decisions or process family reunification cases. For help bringing family members, you will need to work with an immigration attorney or a legal aid organization that specializes in family immigration. Your IRC caseworker can refer you to organizations that provide this help.

What if I have already been in the United States for several years and just found out about the IRC?

The IRC's resettlement services are designed for people who have recently arrived. If you have been here for several years, you may not be may be able to access for IRC housing or initial resettlement support. However, some IRC offices offer job training, English classes, or other services to immigrants who have been here longer. Call your local office to ask what they offer.