Dallas has served as refuge for those fleeing persecution and violence. Welcoming Communities and Immigrant Affairs Division invite Dallas residents, organizations, and businesses to support resettlement efforts and welcome our immigrant neighbors. Opportunites to engage with Dallas-based refugee resettlement agencies are listed below. 

If you are an immigrant or refugee who is in need for immigration support, please review our Welcoming Resource Hub information here.

Local Volunteer Opportunities 

Learn how to volunteer with Dallas organizations serving refugees. Please note that each refugee resettlement agency will have its own process to check backgrounds and to provide training. 

Catholic Charities Volunteer Site 

International Rescue Committee Volunteer Site

Additional information and resources are available in the Volunteer Guide to Refugee Service Agencies in Dallas/Fort Worth:  www.dfwrefugeeguide.org  created by community leader and Welcoming Communities and Immigrant Affairs Taskforce member, Linda Abramson Evans.

Refugee Services of Texas - North Texas Giving Day Soccer Festival 2021- Photo by: Ha N. Smith

Donations for Local Refugee Resettlement Agencies Assisting Migrant Newcomers

Find out what financial resources and materials are needed by clicking on the links below. Amazon wishlists will have mailing and delivery information included. 

Catholic Charities Donation Site and Amazon Wishlist

International Rescue Committee Donation Site and Amazon Wishlist

Support Housing Needs 

Inspired by years of generosity of Hosts, Airbnb.org is partnering with resettlement agencies to fund temporary stays for Afghan refugees. Hosts can help even more people by offering short-term stays for free or at a discount. Even if you’ve never hosted on Airbnb, you can help. Click on link here to learn more. 

Opportunities for Businesses to Connect with Refugee Talent 

The Tent Partnership is a network of  200+ large companies that are committed to helping economically  integrate Afghans and other refugees in the United States and throughout the world. Learn more by clicking here. 

Upwardly Global engages the American business community on behalf of immigrant and refugee professionals to build actionable talent pipeline partnerships, move the mark on inclusive workplaces, and develop corporate facing solutions.  UpGlo also works with HR, TA, and social impact teams to develop strategic initiatives to support immigrant and refugee job seekers through onboarding, and then as incumbent workers, as they develop their career pathways forward.

Employment Information Regarding Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Holders and Parolees

Afghan Special Immigrant Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs), Afghan Special Immigrant Conditional Permanent Residents (CPRs), and Afghans granted parole under the Operation Allies Refuge (OAR) and Operation Allies Welcome (OAW) programs are allowed to work in the United States. The Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, issued a fact sheet that provides general information about some of their employment rights. Click here to view the fact sheet. 

National Opportunities

Welcome.US is a national coalition of organizations that is working to welcome Afghan migrants across America. Learn more by clicking here.

History and Background Information 

Watch  this animated video that explains the process of refugee resettlement, from flight and displacement to arrival and integration, through the true story of a family’s resettlement experience. Click here to access the video. 

Read about Afghan refugees and their legal process for resettlement in the US by clicking here.

Refugee Services of Texas - North Texas Giving Day Soccer Festival 2021 - Photo by: Renato Rimach

Partners

Thanks to our partners for providing content and reviewing this site including the American Jewish Committee, Catholic Charities of Dallas,  International Rescue Committee of Dallas , Tent Partnership for Refugees and the Welcoming Communities and Immigrant Affairs Taskforce.

If you have any feedback or suggestions for this site, please contact the Welcoming Communities and Immigrant Affairs Division below.