New Research Shows that Americans Who Know a Refugee Overwhelmingly Support the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program

In October, the Refugee Advocacy Lab and Data for Progress (DfP) conducted a survey that found that more than two-thirds (70 percent) of likely voters believe that the United States should have a refugee resettlement program that helps bring people seeking safety here. 

The message from Americans across race, religion, political affiliation, education, and age is clear—we aspire to be a place of refuge for people forced to flee their homes. 

But support among one group of voters was remarkable: 89 percent of those who reported that they personally know someone who is a refugee support the U.S. refugee program. This reaffirms what the Lab has long known to be true: that refugees themselves are their most powerful advocates and that more must be done to ensure that their perspectives and experiences are part of the public conversation. 

Strategic communications research we completed in 2021 in partnership with Goodwin Simon Strategic Research (GSSR) and the Open Society Foundations found that in testing different messengers to communicate about refugee resettlement with diverse audiences, refugees themselves were the most effective. 

Get Involved 

Part of our mandate at the Refugee Advocacy Lab is to engage more Americans directly with refugees and ensure that people with lived experience have the platform and support to share their perspective and participate in the public debate. Here are a few ways to get involved: 

Join the Refugee Storytellers Collective

• The Refugee Storytellers Collective is a refugee-driven initiative of people based in the United States who have experienced forced displacement and believe in the power of sharing their perspectives for social change and advocacy. The Lab provides members of the Collective with trainings and opportunities to tell their own stories through media interviews, workshops, panels, and more. We always welcome nominations for new members. To join the Collective, click here. If you have an opportunity for a Collective member to share their story, reach out to us!

Engage Refugee Leaders in Your Work

• When it comes to shaping policy and advocacy around forced displacement issues, it is critical that those who have experienced forced displacement have a seat at the table to drive the conversation. Read our Guide with 10 best practices on how to do this effectively.

Welcome Refugees in Your Community

• Everyone can play a part in welcoming refugees in communities across the United States. Learn about refugee-serving organizations you can support in your area or explore the opportunity to join the Welcome Corps, an innovative new service program for Americans to directly sponsor refugees and help them navigate their new communities.

Stay Connected

• Join our mailing list to stay up to date about advocacy opportunities and resources.

Read DfP’s blog here.

Read the press release here.