Overview

On September 22, 2023, the Institute for Immigration Research (IIR), together with the Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) and Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA), hosted the Refugee Resettlement and STEM Education Conference  at George Mason University. More information about the sponsors and hosts is available here.

The conference highlighted how STEM oriented educational opportunities through high schools, registered apprenticeships, community colleges, and four-year institutions all play a significant role in addressing urgent humanitarian needs, while also expanding the nation’s STEM workforce. At this conference, participants learned about the current refugee situation, how the Welcome Corps is a valuable addition to U.S. refugee resettlement policy, and how educational institutions can support this program. 

View or Download the Conference Program

Context

In January of 2023, the U.S. State Department announced the creation of the Welcome Corps as a complement to existing refugee resettlement programs. Envisioned as public-private partnerships, groups of at least five individuals would agree to sponsor a refugee for 90 days to help them find housing and integrate into U.S. society. Along with housing, education and employment are essential to this integration. In its first year the Welcome Corps is committed to engaging with at least 5,000 refugees and their sponsor groups across the country. In subsequent phases, the Welcome Corps will also include partnerships with employers and universities as refugee sponsors. The Welcome Corps is a new and timely policy initiative in the United States. This event sought to more widely disseminate the workings of the initiative to a range of employers, educational institutions, and students who may not have been well informed about its potential to serve as a significant pathway for refugee resettlement, particularly in the area of STEM occupations.