Finding their Way: Refugees, Resettlement, and Realizing the American Dream Shauna L. Sowga Professor, Social Sciences Columbus State Community College

United Nations 1951 Convention and 1967 Protocol A refugees is: “a person, who, owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, is outside the country of his or her nationality, and is unable to or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country”

Refugees Refugees and asylees leave their countries because of war, genocide, or persecution due to their nationality, race, religion, political opinion or membership in a group.

Refugees The United Nations High Commission on Refugees is responsible for the care and resettlement of refugees. Before being resettled into a county, refugees spend time in Refugee camps. The average stay in a camp is between 5-15 years.

Refugee Numbers According to the UNHCR, there were 19.5 million refugees worldwide at the end of 2014, 14.4 million of them under the mandate of UNHCR around 2.9 million more than in 2013. This is an all-time high and is considered a humanitarian crisis.

Refugee facts The majority of refugees in 2015 were from Syria, Iraq, Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Burma and Sudan.

Refugees: Syria Syrian refugees fleeing ISIS account for a large portion of refugees this year. As of mid-2015, UNHCR had referred more than 15,000 Syrian refugees to the United States for resettlement. They are currently being screened for resettlement.

Refugee Facts Developing countries host over 86% of the world’s refugees, compared to 70% ten years ago. In 2015, Turkey, alone, took in over 2 million refugees The U.S. does not accept all, or most, refugees. 51% of ALL refugees are under age 18.

States Ranked by Refugees Resettled Top 10 States Accepting Refugees in 2014: Texas – 5907 California – 5183 Michigan – 3600 Pennsylvania – 2813 Georgia – 2516 Florida – 2249 Ohio - 2246 Arizona – 2242 Washington -2161 North Carolina - 2114 U.S. Department of State

Refugee resettlement As refugees come to the U.S., they are assigned to a Refugee Resettlement Agency where they receive assistance and guidance as they begin their new lives. Refugees do not choose where they are settled.

Resettlement The Voluntary Resettlement Agencies (VOLAGs) accredited to resettle refugees provide 30 days of service through the Department of State and then provide after-care services. Ongoing services may include public assistance, medical assistance, housing, job training, mental health, education. Major agencies in Columbus, Ohio: Community Refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS) World Relief of Columbus

When Refugees are Resettled, They May Face: The fact that they never going home Loss of family and friends Loss of familiar culture Anxiety over discrimination in host country Concern over cultural adaptation Concern for economic survival Daily Survival Issues Language barriers PTSD

How can communities be more welcoming? Reach out to refugee agencies and local refugee groups when holding conferences and community events Communication campaigns Local leaders and community members reaching out to newcomers. Joint service projects between long-term residents and newcomers (e.g., community gardens) STUDENTS! Student engagement Other ideas? Source: welcomingrefugees.org

How can you help? Donate items needed by local or distant refugees Donate to the UNHCR Help spread the word about refugees, particularly in classes where applicable. Be supportive and open to refugees in your community and at CSCC, including students who are either refugees or children of refugees Attend local events! Volunteer with a refugee resettlement agency

Resources UNHCR websites U.S. State Department www.welcomingrefugees.org Local and international refugee resettlement agencies: Community refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS, Columbus, OH) World Relief Corporation (nationwide) Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (Nationwide, I volunteered for them) U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI)