Coming to America: Refugee Resettlement Presented by Rachele King March 2012

Imagine…..

Overview Flight : Refugee realities Flight : Refugee realities Overseas process: How refugees come to MN Overseas process: How refugees come to MN Arrival and Domestic Resettlement: The role of resettlement agencies. Arrival and Domestic Resettlement: The role of resettlement agencies. Adjustment and life in the US Adjustment and life in the US

Definition of Refugee A person who has been forced to flee his/her homeland and is unable to return because she or he has experienced persecution or has a well-founded fear of persecution.

Persecution based on: Race Religion Nationality Membership of a particular social group Political opinion

The Life of a Refugee Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya

The Life of a Refugee Stuck in limbo Stuck in limbo Little or no opportunity to pursue education or stable employment Little or no opportunity to pursue education or stable employment Residing in refugee camps with unsafe conditions Residing in refugee camps with unsafe conditions –Violence –Disease

Refugee Realities: Refugees often stay in protracted refugee situations for years or even decades. Less than ½ of 1% are permanently resettled anywhere in the world in a given year. Photo Courtesy of UNHCR

Presidential Determination Signed into law each October by the US President Signed into law each October by the US President Sets US refugee arrival ceilings Sets US refugee arrival ceilings Lists priority populations for resettlement in the coming year Lists priority populations for resettlement in the coming year Determines Nationalities eligible for “Family Reunification” Determines Nationalities eligible for “Family Reunification”

FY 2011 Proposed Admissions Africa ,000 East Asia ,000 Europe and Central Asia ,000 Latin America/Caribbean ,500 Near East/South Asia ,000 Unallocated Reserve ,000 Africa ,000 East Asia ,000 Europe and Central Asia ,000 Latin America/Caribbean ,500 Near East/South Asia ,000 Unallocated Reserve ,000TOTAL……………………………..80,000

Overseas Process Several interviews with NGOs Several interviews with NGOs Interview with US Homeland Security Interview with US Homeland Security Security clearances Security clearances Medical Screening Medical Screening Cultural orientation Cultural orientation Travel loan singned Travel loan singned

Status in the USA “Refugee” is a unique immigration status “Refugee” is a unique immigration status Work Authorized upon arrival Work Authorized upon arrival Permanent status Permanent status Path to US Citizenship Path to US Citizenship Eligible for public benefits Eligible for public benefits

Minnesota is “Special” Minnesota has the highest ratio of refugee : foreign born residents in the United States Minnesota has the highest ratio of refugee : foreign born residents in the United States 47% of the foreign-born population in Minnesota entered as refugees, as compared to 17% nation-wide. 47% of the foreign-born population in Minnesota entered as refugees, as compared to 17% nation-wide. Based on ORR annual survey Minnesota led the country in welcoming “secondary arrivals” For every one refugee that leaves MN for another state, three come to MN to build a home. For every one refugee that leaves MN for another state, three come to MN to build a home.

Locally, there are 6 VOLAGs: –Minnesota Council of Churches (MCC) –World Relief –International Institute –Catholic Charities –Lutheran Social Services –Jewish Family Services All refugees arrive through a Voluntary Agency (VOLAG)

Reception and Placement (R&P)  Pre-Arrival Planning  30 day service period  $925 transitional grant funds per person

30-90 days “Resettlement Period” What do VOLAGs do??

Core Services Pre-Arrival Planning Pre-Arrival Planning Airport reception Airport reception Basic needs Basic needs Home and Community orientation Home and Community orientation Connect to services Connect to services –Public benefits –Health services –Social Security –Educational service –Community resources –Employment services –Specialized services –More!

Preparing for winter – Coat Drives

Welcome Baskets

Moving In…

Getting out….

Getting Around!

“LINKAGES” Volunteers and community supports Volunteers and community supports Refugees are eligible for benefits like US Citizens. Refugees are eligible for benefits like US Citizens.

Realities… Still need to struggle to survive Still need to struggle to survive Complicated bureaucracies to navigate Complicated bureaucracies to navigate Complicated rules / compliance requirements to receive services. Complicated rules / compliance requirements to receive services. Mixed messages Mixed messages Systems don’t always work… self advocacy needed. Systems don’t always work… self advocacy needed. Hope can be hard to sustain Hope can be hard to sustain

HOPE