The Diocesan Refugee Services Committee resettles Vietnamese and Southeast Asian refugee families for the following decade.
For the following two decades, the Second Sudanese Civil War displaces and orphans over 20,000 Sudanese boys, who later become known as the “Lost Boys of Sudan”.
To address the problem of unauthorized immigration, Congress implemented through bipartisan agreement a multi-pronged system that provided amnesty for established residents, increased border enforcement, enhanced requirements of employers, and expanded guestworker visa programs.
Yugoslavia breaks into multiple countries through a series of violent conflicts. During this time, the Diocesan Refugee Services Committee becomes Interfaith Refugee Ministry (IRM) and resettles Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian, and other former Yugoslavian families who arrive in Connecticut.
The war begins in May of 1994, and continues until November of 1997. Over these three years, the war displaces many Kurdish civilians.
During this time, congress revises the Immigration Act of 1965 by implementing the H-1B visa program for skilled temporary workers, with some provisions for conversion to permanent status, and the diversity visa lottery for populations unable to enter through the preference system.
The United States implements the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act (NACARA), which allowed certain Salvadorans, Guatemalans, and Nicaraguans who had fled violence and poverty in their homelands in the 1980s to file for asylum and remain in the United States.
Following this, IRM works to resettle Kosovar families who arrive in Connecticut.
In 2000, June 20th becomes World Refugee Day. Each year, the worldwide community spends the day focused on ways to improve the lives of refugees.
In the following years, the United States invades Afghanistan and battles the Afghanistan government and the Taliban, displacing many civilians.
After the attacks of September 11th, the U.S. government acted to expand the budget, staffing, and powers of the immigration enforcement bureaucracy.
In the following years, insurgency and civil conflicts caused by the United States’ invasion of Iraq displaces many civilians.
During this time, IRM officially changes its name to IRIS- Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services.
Trying to cope with the long-term residence of millions of unauthorized immigrants, this executive order provided protection from deportation and work authorization to persons who arrived as minor children and had lived in the United States since June 15, 2007.
The Connecticut state legislature passed the Trust Act, and it was signed by Governor Dannel Malloy.
During this time, after over 30 years as a program of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, IRIS takes steps to become an independent organization, with their continued support of our mission.
In response to the Syrian refugee crisis, and with tremendous community support, IRIS welcomes 530 refugees—more than double any previous year. One-third of these families are resettled by community groups in towns and cities across the state, through IRIS’s expanded community co-sponsorship program.
US admissions historically have been around 70 – 85,000 and higher. Beginning with the end of the wet feet, dry feet policy in January of 2017, the US reduced the amount of refugees who could be admitted into the country to a maximum of 30,000, and instituted a travel ban from several predominantly Muslim countries. This ban also suspended the resettlement of all Syrian refugees.
During this time, IRIS resettled 343 refugees, and the CT community continued to support refugees arriving in CT.
During this time, IRIS transitioned to operating remotely.
Immigration plays a vital role in Connecticut’s economy and society, driving growth, innovation, and cultural enrichment. With roughly 15% of the state’s population born outside the United States and an additional 16% with at least one immigrant parent, immigrants are integral to Connecticut’s identity.
They are not only part of the community but also key contributors to the state’s economy—one in six workers in Connecticut is an immigrant, filling critical roles in industries like construction, healthcare, and technology. Immigrant-led households paid a remarkable $7.4 billion in federal, state, and local taxes in 2018, and undocumented immigrants contributed over $500 million in taxes, showcasing their commitment to the state’s fiscal health. Immigrants are also entrepreneurial, with nearly50,000 immigrant business owners generating $1.2 billion in business income>, accounting for 24% of all self-employed residents.
Furthermore, over50% of Connecticut’s foreign-born residents are naturalized U.S. citizens, strengthening civic participation and enriching the social fabric. By creating jobs, bolstering tax revenues, and enhancing cultural diversity, immigrants are not just residents of Connecticut—they are drivers of its prosperity and progress.
Hover over the markers to discover immigration facts for each county.
IRIS means hope, helping refugees and immigrants rebuild their lives and strengthen our communities.
New Haven Office
235 Nicoll Street,
New Haven, CT 06511
Hartford Office
25 Main Street,
Hartford CT 06106
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 203.562.2095
IRIS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
EIN 06-0653044
