© 2005 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation Becoming a Refugee Frances Saad, B.A., Psychology MSW student, School of Social Work Fleeing To escape war and persecution, Often sudden departure. Seeking Legal Refugee Status (UNHCR) Because of a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, social group or political opinion. Seeking resettlement Only about 1% of all refugees are referred by the UNHCR for resettlement in a third country.

© 2005 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation Refugee vs. economic migrant. A migrant normally leaves his or her country voluntarily, to seek a better life. To a refugee, the economic conditions of the country of asylum are less important that its safety. A migrant enjoys the protection of his or her her government; a refugee does not. UNHCR, Protecting Refugees: Q&A, p.8

© 2005 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation US Resettlement Program Referral to the US program Department of State’s Bureau for Population, Refugees, and Migration (PMR) oversees this program. Only refugees referred by UNHCR or by the US embassy in the country of asylum are eligible for the program. State department develops application criteria, refugee admission ceilings and presents eligible cases to the INS for adjudication.

© 2005 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation US Resettlement Program Adjudication Interview with an INS officer, followed by either approval of entrance into the program, or rejection. Approval: Refugee’s application is matched with an American resettlement organization (ARO)

© 2005 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation Refugee Resettlement in the US Pre-travel Activities Assurance Process Medical Clearance Security Clearance Cultural Orientation Travel to the US US Arrival and Reception

© 2005 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation ARO “assure” department of State that it is prepared to receive each matched refugee. This assurance is a written guarantee Assurance Process ARO determine where in US the refugee will be resettled (availability of housing, employment, host community etc…)

© 2005 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation Medical Clearance All refugees are medically screened overseas Identifies medical conditions requiring F/U or constitute a public health concern. After medical clearance, refugee enter the US within one year

© 2005 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation Security Clearance All refugee undergo SC overseas Level of clearance needed depends on the country of origin Most refugees submit to a “name check” process: FBI’s data base State Department ‘s database

© 2005 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation Cultural orientation All refugee receive some American culture orientation overseas Orientation emphasizes importance of self sufficiency expectation in the initial resettlement phase

© 2005 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation Travel to US The International organization for Migration (IOM) arranges air travel Refugee signs a promissory note to repay US government for travel costs IOM sends information to ARO, that make arrangement for the refugee’s arrival

© 2005 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation Local resettlement organization responsible for initial resettlement phase. Services provided to promote early self sufficiency and cultural adjustment Within first 30 days: application for SS, school registration, medical evaluation, English classes US arrival and Reception

© 2005 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation Most famous refugee…

© 2005 CDHS College Relations Group Buffalo State College/SUNY at Buffalo Research Foundation