Washington, D.C.: The State Department released a statement on Thursday, January 19, outlining steps to allow ordinary citizens of the United States to sponsor refugees. The new project is called ‘Welcome Corpus’. Four or five US citizens will have the opportunity to sponsor refugees at the same time. The State Department said in a statement that it is the first time in four decades that such bold steps are being taken on the refugee issue.
Sponsors need to raise $2,275 in the first month to cover refugee expenses. This amount is for the security deposit and winter clothes. After three months, they will be enrolled in the federal program and receive benefits. As a first step, 10,000 US citizens can sponsor 5,000 refugees at the beginning of the year. The second phase will begin by mid-2023. The State Department came up with the new policy after Biden announced that the United States is ready to accept 20,000 refugees over the next two years.