The federal government has initiated private sponsorship programs as a new resettlement pathway that provide an avenue for interested individuals to directly sponsor a refugee to come to the United States. The Colorado Refugee Services Program (CRSP) does not oversee private sponsorship. However, CRSP is committed to sharing information and highlighting resources in support of sponsor groups and the individuals they welcome to Colorado through sponsorship.
Welcome Corps Case Coordination
Are you welcoming a refugee through Welcome Corps or planning to do so? The document linked below provides detailed information, including required communication with CRSP, connection to public assistance, and more.
Service Provider Coordination with Welcome Corps Cases
Colorado refugee service providers play an important role in supporting refugee integration for Welcome Corps cases. The document linked below provides guidance to service providers to understand availability of services and how to support Welcome Corps cases.
Sponsorship Programs
The federal government has established several sponsorship programs, each with distinct eligibility criteria and processes. CRSP does not manage the coordination of these programs.
Welcome Corps
In the spring of 2023, the U.S. Department of State launched Welcome Corps as a form of private sponsorship. To participate, private sponsor groups of 5 or more individuals complete an application process to welcome an unknown or known refugee or refugee family to the United States. The private sponsorship group is responsible for coordinating all initial resettlement activities; sponsored refugees are not eligible for services from refugee resettlement agencies within their first 90 days in the country.
Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, Venezuelan (CHNV) Program
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) provided this program as a lawful and streamlined way for qualifying nationals of these countries along with immediate family members to come to the United States with humanitarian parole. Note that only Cubans and Haitians are eligible for refugee services upon arrival. Learn more about this program on the USCIS CHNV webpage.
Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) Program
USCIS created Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) as a lawful and streamlined way for Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members who are outside the United States to come and temporarily stay in the U.S. with a 2-year period of humanitarian parole. Ukrainians participating in U4U must have a U.S. sponsor who agrees to provide them with financial support for the duration of their stay in the United States. Learn more on the USCIS U4U webpage.