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

1. Coming to America:Refugee ResettlementPresented by Rachele KingMarch 2012

2. Imagine…..

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

4. 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.

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

6. TheLife of a Refugee Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya

7. TheLife of a Refugee • Stuck in limbo • Little or no opportunity to pursue education or stable employment • Residing in refugee camps with unsafe conditions • Violence • Disease

9. 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

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

11. FY 2011 Proposed Admissions Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,000East Asia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19,000Europe and Central Asia . . . . . . . . .2,000Latin America/Caribbean. . . . . . . . . 5,500Near East/South Asia. . . . . . . . . . 35,000Unallocated Reserve . . . . . . . . . . .3,000 TOTAL……………………………..80,000

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

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

14. Minnesota is “Special” • 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. • 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.

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

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

17. 30-90 days “Resettlement Period” What do VOLAGs do??

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

19. Preparing for winter – Coat Drives

20. Welcome Baskets

21. Moving In…

22. Getting out….

23. Getting Around!

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

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

26. HOPE