Refugee Resettlement in the US

Introduction

The United States has a history of providing safe haven to those fleeing oppression and war. In contrast, refugees are people who have fled their countries of nationality for reasons generally similar to those mentioned above. For the most part, however, refugees flee en masse, often by foot, into the nearest neighboring country (the vast majority of Rwandan refugees, for example, fled to Tanzania and what today is known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo). Though comprising only 10 percent of annual immigration to the United States, refugees are a distinct component of the foreign-born population in many US metropolitan areas. Prior descriptions of refugee settlement patterns have been based on widely available state-level data. This is the first report on US metropolitan destinations, where the vast majority of refugees were resettled between 1983 and 2004. Linking refugee resettlement to metropolitan areas highlights differences across localities and addresses the implications for service provision and demographic change within receiving areas. The US maintains a distinct program for asylum seekers, as opposed to resettled refugees(Weissbrodt Danielson 112-119). Asylum seekers are persons who have fled their countries of nationality as a result of armed conflict, violence, persecution, human rights violations, etc., and are seeking protection and immunity from forced return by the government of the country in which they are seeking asylum. For the most part, asylum seekers are individuals who have, by any of a variety of means, transported themselves to the country in which they are seeking asylum. Upon arrival in the "safe" country, an asylum seeker must plead his or her case before the relevant government agency in the hopes that the request will be granted and the individual will be allowed to permanently settle in the country of asylum(Singer Wilson 89-109).

Thesis Statement

Of the 10 countries that carry out resettlement programs, the United States accepts more than double the number of refugees accepted by the other nine countries combined, resettling approximately 2.5 million people since 1975.

Jobs and employment

The actual resettlement of refugees in the local communities is conducted by local voluntary resettlement agencies (VOLAGs) that work with the U.S. State Department. The Texas Office of Immigration and Refugee Affairs distributes funds to help refugees become employed, learn English and adjust to cultural differences. Refugee Social Services consist of employment services; vocational training; education services, including English as a Second Language instruction and citizenship outreach; case management services; and other support services which encourage economic self-sufficiency and social adjustment. The majority of services are available to refugees who have lived in the United States for five years or less(refugeeresettlementwatch.wordpress.com).

Citizenship and outreach services can be provided beyond the five year time limit. HHSC works with organizations located in areas of the state with the largest numbers of refugee arrivals: Abilene, Amarillo, Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio. Asylee outreach services are also provided in El Paso and in the Rio Grande Valley(www.hhsc.state.tx.us).

Healthcare management

A successful resettlement includes positive long-term health ...