(The national perspective is excerpted from Out of Many, One - A History of the Immigration and Refugee Services of America * Network, 1998, IRSA, by Margi Dunlap and Nicholas Montalto)

Through decades of work with families in transition, the USCRI network has pioneered the developing of vital and innovative services for newcomer populations.

Trained and accredited legal advisors help people qualify for political asylum, reunify with separated family members, and become US citizens. "Language Banks" and interpreter referral programs provide trained interpreters to courts and social service agencies and help with the translation of documents. English language programs use numerous models to improve the communication skills of clients, from classrooms to living rooms, from large groups to tutoring pairs. Other training programs work to increase clients' skills so that they can continue to contribute to their communities.

Bilingual clinical programs deal with issues of trauma and depression while respecting the cultural backgrounds and healing traditions of the people served. Intergroup relations projects build coalitions among the many ethnic, racial, and religious groups in communities and bring people together to solve common problems.

* IRSA changes its name to US Committee for Refugees & Immigrants (USCRI) in 2004