Kelly Gauger

Kelly Gauger is one of two Deputy Directors in the Office of Refugee Admissions, a division within the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM). In this role, she leads three key teams—overseas program management, domestic resettlement, and strategic analysis and planning—ensuring that the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) operates effectively and efficiently.

With oversight of PRM’s $1 billion+ annual budget for refugee admissions, Kelly plays a pivotal role in managing the global infrastructure for overseas refugee processing and the expansive domestic resettlement network across the United States.

Her responsibilities also include supporting the Office Director in efforts to rebuild and expand access to USRAP, an essential program providing hope and opportunity to displaced populations worldwide.

Kelly frequently collaborates with senior officials from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and global partners to strengthen resettlement programs and foster international cooperation.

A seasoned leader, Kelly joined PRM as a Presidential Management Intern in 1999, bringing over two decades of experience in refugee admissions and resettlement.

Since becoming Deputy Director in 2011, she has been instrumental in driving strategic initiatives and improving processes that ensure refugees find safety, support, and pathways to rebuilding their lives.

Her dedication to humanitarian work reflects her unwavering commitment to advancing global resettlement efforts and addressing the needs of vulnerable populations.