Indiana

Indiana's history with refugees dates back to the late 20th century, notably during the resettlement efforts following the Vietnam War. In the early 21st century, the state became a destination for refugees from various countries, including Burma, Somalia, and Syria. Local communities and organizations have played vital roles in providing support and integration for refugees, contributing to Indiana's diverse cultural fabric. The Community Programs team in Indiana is actively engaged with local nonprofit organizations, serving in the community, and developing opportunities for collecting and sharing refugee stories.

Demographics
ARRIVALS

FY 2017-2021 data source: Refugee Processing Center: Arrivals and Admissions, figures may exclude Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) from Afghanistan and Iraq, and may not include Afghan Humanitarian Parolees from the 2021 evacuation.

FY 2022 data: 539 refugee, 110 SIV, 709 Afghan humanitarian parole.

TOP COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN
TOP NEWCOMER LANGUAGES
  • French
  • Burmese
  • Dari
  • Pashto
  • Arabic
  • Tigrinya
  • English

FY 2022 data source: Languages based on the official and/or most common language of arrivals’ country of origin.

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Generation 1.5 Mentor-Bridging the Generational Gaps in Chin-American Families
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Heidi Grimshaw
Community Program Coordinator - Indiana
LeeAnn Parry
Community Liaison - Indiana
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Reach out to our local team with any questions. We love to connect with people interested in welcoming newcomers to our community.
What would you do if you had to leave everything behind?

By the end of 2025, more than 117.8 million people worldwide had been forcibly displaced by war, persecution, or human rights abuses — and 45 million of them are children.

They arrive in refugee camps and countries seeking safety and carrying little: legal papers, if they're lucky. A backpack. A child's hand in theirs.

What they carry that we can't see is heavier: fractured families, homes they'll never return to, professions they loved, friends and relatives they may never see again.

In a climate where immigrant stories are often ignored or twisted, we believe stories are a form of justice. When someone shares what they survived, they reclaim their voice. When we amplify it through film, photography, and advocacy, the world listens. Hearts soften. Policy begins to shift.

Because when a lawmaker sees a person instead of a statistic, and a neighbor understands instead of fears, rebuilding becomes possible.

Your support helps us share these stories where they matter most.

— Kristen Smith Dayley, Executive Director, Their Story is Our Story

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