Sponsor Circles – IRIS-Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services

Sponsor a Ukrainian, Venezuelan, Cuban, Haitian, or Nicaraguan Family

Register below to learn how to sponsor a family and welcome them to your town.

Sponsor Circle Program for Ukrainians, Venezuelans, Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans

Through Uniting for Ukraine and the Process for Venezuelans, Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans Humanitarian Program, families can come to the United States for a temporary period of two years with the support of a sponsor who agrees to provide them financial support for the duration of their stay in the United States. Sponsors are also expected to provide the newcomers support with such tasks as securing initial housing, enrolling children to school, and finding employment.

Sponsors make this commitment through the submission of an I-134, Declaration of Financial Support. It is the US government that determines if the sponsorship will be approved and the beneficiary will be permitted to travel to the United States. It is anticipated that sponsorship will be most intensive in the first six months.

During this time, sponsors who form sponsor circles through the Sponsor Circle Program will have access to resources and ongoing support.

Through Uniting for Ukraine and the Process for Venezuelans, Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans Humanitarian Program, families can come to the United States for a temporary period of two years with the support of a sponsor who agrees to provide them financial support for the duration of their stay in the United States. Sponsors are also expected to provide the newcomers support with such tasks as securing initial housing, enrolling children to school, and finding employment.

During this time, sponsors who form sponsor circles through the Sponsor Circle Program will have access to resources and ongoing support.

Frequently asked questions

Why form a Sponsor Circle?

You urgently want to help a friend or family member who has fled Ukraine due to the war or Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti, or Nicaragua due to circumstances in their homeland.
You want to respond to a humanitarian need.
You want to connect with those in your community.
It is aligned with your values.
You or your family was welcomed to the United States as immigrants.
You want to support refugee integration.

What are the responsibilities?

Become a fiscal sponsor for two years
Secure housing
Provide basic necessities
Provide time-bound income support
Assist in completing required changes of address
Support in obtaining a social security card (if applicable)
Support in selective service registration, as appropriate (if applicable)
Support in accessing medical services, as appropriate
Support in accessing available benefits, as appropriate (if applicable)
Support in submitting an I-765 application for employment authorization (if applicable)
Enroll children in school
Provide English language support
Provide job search advice and support (if applicable)
Provide community orientation