Who is a refugee?

A refugee is an individual forced to flee their country due to persecution, war, or violence, holding a well-founded fear of danger based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or social group. They are unable or unwilling to return home and require international protection.

The legal basis for humanitarian admissions of refugees and asylum seekers to the United States began with the Refugee Act of 1980, which defined a refugee, established the Reception and Placement (R&P) program for initial resettlement under the Department of State, and created the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

How many refugees are resettled in the United States?

The United States admits refugees from more than 60 countries all around the globe.
The United States welcomed 100,060 refugees in 2024: 37,050 as principal refugees and 63,000 as derivative refugees.
They are resettled across multiple states but the following states admit the most displaced families:
Texas (9,764)
California (7,597)
New York (6,234)
Florida (4,578)
Pennsylvania (4,445)

California is consistently one of the top refugee-receiving states in the U.S. In recent federal data:
The U.S. admitted ~100,000 refugees in 2024. California typically receives ~8–12% of total arrivals (varies by year)That translates to roughly: ~8,000–12,000 refugees/year resettled in California during higher-admission years (like 2024)
California is a rebuilding hub for refugees because it provides the following opportunities: ESL programs, Job placement, Housing support, and Community networks.
The U.S. refugee cap dropped dramatically to 7,500 total refugees for 2026, but California still has around 38,700 refugees living in the state per recent estimates.

How many refugees are resettled in California?

Additional Refugee Statistics

As of May 2024, more than 120 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide as a result of persecution, conflict, violence or human rights violations. This includes:

43.4 million refugees
63.3 million internally displaced people
6.9 million asylum seekers
5.8 million people in need of international protection, a majority from Venezuela

‍ ‍of refugees come from just 5 countries.

Venezuela, 6.2 million
Syrian Arab Republic, 6.0 million
Afghanistan, 5.8 million
Ukraine, 5.1 million
South Sudan, 2.3 million

69%

More UNHCR Stats

Country Highlights

Voice of Refugees is a community of people from all across the globe. Learn more about the countries and regions our families, volunteers, and staff call home.

Afghanistan

Afghanistan sits at the crossroads of Central and South Asia and is home to breathtaking landscapes, two major language groups, and over 5,000 years of history. Since the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021 the Taliban has taken control of the nation, causing over 6 million Afghans to be displaced from their homes. Over 100,000 refugees have resettled here in the U.S., many here in California.

Let’s pray today for peace and restoration to come through the love of Jesus to Afghanistan, and to the refugees here in the US.
Egypt

Egypt is one of the oldest civilizations on Earth, is the setting of several key Biblical events, and is home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Even being a beautiful and culturally rich country, many Egyptians have sought asylum here in the U.S. due to political persecution, economic hardship, and religious discrimination.
Egypt has the largest Christian population in the Middle East, and many endure discrimination and hardship because of their faith. Since Egyptian Asylum seekers often do not fit the narrow criteria for refugee status, they rely especially on churches and ministries like VOR as they resettle. Let’s pray today for the Egyptian nation to see more of the light of Christ, and for Egyptian families here in the states as they rebuild their lives.
Lebanon

Did you know that in Beirut, Lebanon, you could ski in the mountains, and just 90 minutes later swim in the turquoise Mediterranean sea? Lebanon is known around the world for its natural beauty, delicious food, music, and hospitality. This breathtaking country is also the host of over a million refugees from surrounding regions.
While many refugees call Lebanon home, many refugees, immigrants, and asylum seekers also come from Lebanon due to the country’s political and economic instability. Join us in praying today for our friends and families from Lebanon, and for greater stability for the country and those seeking refuge inside its borders.
Photo by Nina Abdel Malak on Unsplash
Sudan

Nile shorelines, spiced tea, wildlife reserves, and more pyramids than Egypt. Sudan is vast, diverse, and culturally rich. Sadly, much of the country's recent history has been shaped by recurring violence and long periods of civil war. This includes the secession of South Sudan in 2011 and ongoing conflicts that have devastated the capital and other regions.
As of 2025, over 10 million people have been displaced inside Sudan, and over 2 million refugees have fled to neighboring countries. Hundreds of Sudanese families now call California home and have rebuilt their lives as our neighbors. Join us in praying for peace and healing in Sudan, for our Sudanese friends in our community, and their families back home.
Photo by Ahmed Babiker on Unsplash.
Syria

Syria is a country full of rich culture and history, and has been a part of many ancient civilizations dating back to the Sumerian city-states. It's capital, the biblical city of Damascus is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
Since 2011 Syria has been faced by civil war, leading to hundreds of thousands of deaths and millions of Syrians displaced. Due to this ongoing tragedy, Syria is the largest source of refugees in the world today with over 5 million registered refugees. Many Syrian refugees now call California home, and are a part of our VOR family receiving love, community, and hands-on support. Join us in praying for healing and restoration in Syria today, and for those reestablishing their lives here in the US.
Yemen

The country of Yemen sits at the southern end of the Arabian Peninsula, sharing a beautiful coastline with both the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea. In addition to its coastal plains, Yemen is also home to rugged mountains, vast deserts, and cities teeming with ancient architecture.
Since 2015, Yemen has faced a devastating civil war between a rebel group and the internationally recognized government. Due to this ongoing conflict, more than 4.5 million Yemeni people have been displaced from their homes within the country, and over 300,000 are registered abroad as refugees or asylum seekers. Join us in praying for peace in Yemen - and for the Yemeni families that now call our VOR community home.
Photo by Saif Albadni on Unsplash