This is a record low for the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) that was established as a bipartisan humanitarian measure in 1980. Last fiscal year, the refugee admissions cap was set to 125,000, allowing for resettlement from a number of conflict-ridden countries through strict vetting and background checks. The long-standing USRAP has responded to global humanitarian needs for decades, providing a vetted, legal pathway to a new beginning.
NICE has resettled refugees from all over the world since 2011, having the privilege of walking alongside these new neighbors as they settle in Nashville. We’ve watched their astounding resilience and determination as they learn English, pass driver’s tests, start businesses, become citizens, buy homes, and more—all while healing from traumatic life experiences and facing countless barriers.
“Being a refugee myself who came from a war-torn country in Sudan, the only hope I had was this program,” Dr. Gatluak Thach, NICE’s Founder & CEO reflects. “But even with all these challenges, we will continue to grow, and we will continue to overcome where we are by looking for a way forward.”
NICE stands ready to serve those who need us most, and will continue to advocate for refugees in every way we can.
