Refugee Resettlement

We hear the words refugee and asylum seeker used interchangeably, but these words apply to different stages of the immigration process. Refugees are individuals who are outside their home country afraid of likely persecution of death if sent back to that country because of their religion, race, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a social group, and whose government is unwilling or unable to protect them. Asylum seekers are refugees who are asking a government to recognize them as a refugee and the government has yet to make a decision. Regardless of their specific status, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is responsible for coordinating the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) humanitarian response to and advocacy on behalf of refugees, asylum seekers, and other forced migrants.

PDA partners with Mid Councils and Congregations

1. Information and Referral
   • PDA connects Presbyterians to nonprofit organizations in the U.S. serving refugees and asylum seekers. PDA guides Presbyterians regarding locations of refugee resettlement, how churches can help, and how the U.S. refugee and immigration system works.
2. Educational and Worship Resources
   • PDA creates and shares educational resources for congregational use.
3. Refugee Ministry Consultation and Guidance
   • PDA provides technical assistance and guidance through individual phone consultations, conference calls, or webinars, and face-to-face local and regional gatherings.
4. Ministries of Presence
   • PDA, along with members of the National Response Team (NRT) offers technical, emotional, and spiritual support to local ministries and their volunteers.
5. Financial Support

• PDA supports local congregations and task forces through mid councils who may request an initial grant to assist in responding to a new or emergency refugee situation. Special project grants are also available for longer-term responses.

PDA partners with national offices:

• Office of Public Witness and the Office of Immigration Issues
  • PDA works with the PC(USA) office of Public Witness and the Office of Immigration Issues to advance just and compassionate U.S. policies toward refugees and other forced migrants.
• Church World Service Immigration and Refugee Program (CWS)
  • Since 1947, the PC(USA) has supported refugee resettlement through CWS. CWS is one of nine national, nongovernmental organizations with a network of local offices to receive newly arriving refugees and provide at least three months of services.
• Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS)
  • For over 20 years, PDA has worked with LIRS to develop new ministry models and promote interdisciplinary collaboration among organizations serving asylum seekers and vulnerable immigrants. In 2015, PDA and LIRS produced a short documentary, “Locked in a Box,” to highlight the plight of immigrants in U.S. detention.

PDA is a two-fold ministry: 

• relief and response to national and international disasters; and 
• aid to refugees and displaced people, including resettlement.

Outside the U.S., PDA supports refugees through mission and ecumenical partners following the same protocol that guides other disaster response efforts. For information on international responses, click here.