On this page...
Resources for Afghan Refugees
Over 900 Afghan refugees have made their homes in Iowa after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August of 2021. Afghan refugees continue to arrive in Iowa today.
Resources for Afghan refugees can be found at the links below:
- United States Department of State-Afghanistan Inquiries
- Special Immigrant Visas for Afghans
- ALL Iowa -Legal assistance for adjustment of status
Back to top
Resources for Ukrainian Refugees
Due to the war, hundreds of Ukrainian refugees have resettled in Iowa. Resources for Ukrainian refugees can be found at the link below.
- ALL Iowa -Legal assistance for adjustment of status
Back to top
Resources for Venezuelan Refugees
On April 14, 2025, the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued a Preliminary Injunction Order staying parts of the March 25, 2025, Federal Register notice titled "Termination of Parole Process for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV)." See Svitlana Doe, et al., v Noem, et. al., No. 25-cv-10495 (D. Mass. Apr. 14, 2025). Pursuant to the order, the parole termination notices that were sent to aliens from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela pursuant to the Federal Register notice are stayed and therefore not currently in effect. No new requests for CHNV parole will be processed.
- For more information on Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans, please visit the link Litigation-Related Update on CHNV | USCIS
Back to top
U.S. Government Agencies
- Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration - United States Department of State
- Refugee Processing Center
- Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) | The Administration for Children and Families
- Welcome Corps - Sponsoring Refugees, Strengthening Communities
- Office of Minority Health Resource Center
- CDC: Immigrant and Refugee Health
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigrations Services
Back to top
General Resources
Back to top
International Organizations Serving Refugees
- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
- International Committee of the Red Cross
- International Organization for Migration
- The International Council of Voluntary Agencies
- Amnesty International
Back to top
National Organizations Serving Refugees
- Church World Service
- Episcopal Migration Ministries
- Ethiopian Community Development Council
- Hebrew Immigration Aid Society (HIAS)
- U.S. Committee for Immigrants and Refugees
- International Rescue Committee
- Global Refuge
- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
- World Relief Refugee Services
Back to top
Local Volunteer Opportunities/Refugee Services
Most refugee resettlement in Iowa is provided by Resettlement Agencies (RAs). These RAs work closely with volunteers to help meet the needs of refugees in Iowa. Please use the links below to find information on how you can volunteer with the Iowa RAs to support newly arrived refugees:
- Lutheran Services in Iowa (Des Moines, Sioux City, and Waterloo)
- Lutheran Family Services (Council Bluffs)
- U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (Des Moines)
- Catholic Charities Diocese of Des Moines (Des Moines)
- Catherine McAuley Center (Cedar Rapids)
- Mary J. Treglia Community House (Sioux City)
- World Relief (Quad Cities)
- Refugee Alliance of Central Iowa
Back to top
Resources for Interpreters
- Training and Supporting Community Members Serving as Interpreters - Switchboard
- Improving Language Justice
Back to top