A refugee is any person who is outside the country of such person's nationality or, in the case of a person having no nationality, is outside the country in which such person last habitually resided, and who is unable or unwilling to return to, and is unable or unwilling to avail himself or herself of the protection of that country because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion. Individuals and their family members granted refugee status overseas by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security are brought to the United States for resettlement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Through a wide range of programs and benefits, the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), and national resettlement agencies assist refugees with integration into the U.S. Refugees are eligible to receive ORR benefits and services from the date of arrival into the country.
The United States Refugee Resettlement Program must follow the requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) § 411 et seq. [8 United States Code (USC) § 5121 et seq.], incorporating Pub. Law 96-212, as amended. Applicable regulations are found at 45 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 400
Since 1975, the U.S. has resettled more than three million refugees. Most refugees come from Vietnam or the former Soviet Union, although more than 70 nationalities are represented. Since the enactment of the Refugee Act of 1980, annual admissions figures have ranged from a high of 207,116 in 1980, to a low of 27,100 the year following September 11, 2001. Seventy thousand refugees were admitted in both 2013 and 2014.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has the international mandate to provide refugee assistance and to determine if resettlement in a third country — be it the United States or another country — is the right solution.
Less than 1 percent of refugees worldwide are ever resettled in a third country. UNHCR uses six criteria to determine if resettlement is appropriate. For more information on UNHCR standards and criteria for determining resettlement as the appropriate solution for refugees, please refer to the UNHCR Resettlement Handbook.
There is no fee to apply for refugee status.
The Department of Homeland Security has the authority to make this decision. Under U.S. law, a refugee must have a well-founded fear of persecution based on one of the five "protected grounds":
Religion, Political Opinion, Race, Nationality, or Membership in a Particular Social Group
Forty-nine of the 50 states resettle refugees. In Pennsylvania, there are primarily five regions in which refugees are resettled: Pittsburgh, Lancaster/Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Allentown/Scranton, and Erie. Within each region, there are multiple Local Resettlement Agencies (LRAs) that are responsible to aid in the integration process.
Refugees may work immediately upon arrival to the United States. When a refugee is admitted to the United States, they receive an I-94 form containing a refugee admission stamp. Additionally, an I-765 form (Application for Employment Authorization) is filed to receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). While waiting for the EAD, a refugee may present the Form I-94 and arrival/departure record to the employer as proof of permission to work in the United States.
Refugees are eligible, due to their vulnerable status, for federal benefits such as Medical Assistance (Medicaid), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). There are also special types of assistance available to refugees who do not meet the criteria for the above listed benefits. Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) and Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) exist to bridge a gap between initial settlement and the achievement of self-sufficiency. These programs are limited to eight months from the date of refugee entry.
In an attempt to keep refugees off of public benefits, there is a cash diversion program called the Matching Grant Program. This is an alternative to public cash assistance providing services to enable ORR-eligible populations (in addition to refugees, asylees, Cuban and Haitian entrants, certain Amerasians from Vietnam, victims of severe forms of trafficking, and special immigrant Visa holders (SIVs) are also eligible for the same types of services) to become economically self-sufficient within 120 to 180 days.
Services required under this program include, but are not limited to, case management, employment services, maintenance assistance and cash allowance, and administration. Self-sufficiency must be achieved without accessing public cash assistance. Enrollment is available to all ORR-eligible populations meeting the minimum employability requirements as defined under the ORR's program guidelines; however, enrollment must occur within 31 days of becoming eligible to ensure adequate services are provided and self-sufficiency is achieved and maintained within the period of eligibility.
Yes. Each year the president determines the number of refugees accepted into the United States.
The money is paid by federal taxes. Each year, Congress determines the amount needed to resettle refugees.
Refugees Flowchart Funds