The Kinship between Refugee and Family Sponsorship

This working paper examines the complex interpersonal dynamics of Canada’s private refugee sponsorship program, focusing on the relationships between sponsors and Syrian refugees resettled since 2015. Drawing on a national survey of over 530 sponsors and subsequent semi-structured interviews, the authors identify a significant "kinship" dimension to these relationships, where the institutional structure of sponsorship often mimics family-class obligations and socialization processes. While the vast majority of respondents (86%) evaluated their experience as profoundly positive and transformative, the study highlights an inherent structural "parentalism" and power imbalance as sponsors guide newcomers toward the goal of economic self-sufficiency. The findings reveal a persistent tension between providing necessary guidance and respecting refugee autonomy, particularly regarding language acquisition, employment choices, and the navigation of Canadian social systems. Ultimately, the paper argues that these affective bonds and structural inequalities not only shape the settlement outcomes for refugees but also transform the sponsors' own identities and understanding of citizenship.