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About The Refugee Crisis
Refugees in the U.S.
By the US’ legal definition, a refugee is someone from outside of the United States who can demonstrate that they have been persecuted, or have reason to fear persecution, on the basis of one of five protected categories: race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership of a social group. An asylum seeker also meets this criteria, but is somebody either already in the US or at a port of entry.
According to the UN refugee agency, there were nearly twenty-seven million refugees in the world as of 2022, the majority of which were from just two countries: Syria and Ukraine.
The US has always accepted refugees, but in 1980, the Refugee Act brought in a standardized vetting process and annual cap for the number of refugees allowed entry each year. The cap has fluctuated under different presidents, but in total, since 1980, the U.S. has admitted more than three million refugees.
Hundreds of Ukrainians fleeing the war back home camp out near a Mexico-U.S. border crossing hoping for safe passage to America in April 2022.
Refugees in the US are entitled to the same rights as resident aliens; they have the right to work, to enroll in public schools, to rent or buy property, and to access government support programs. They can also apply for citizenship once they have spent one year in the US.
Refugees bring lots of good things to the US such as economic benefits, diversity, unique trade knowledge and skill sets, cultural enrichment, and more. Many start new businesses which create jobs. However, there is a lot of stigma against refugees, often fueled by anti-refugee rhetoric from the media and government, which has created an almost nationalist fear of “invasion.”
These are migrants in Texas who are looking for Asylum in the US, but are stopped by Trumps wall. They were just separated from families due to them being deported.
It’s also easy for refugees to be exploited or taken advantage of, because it can be difficult for them to know their rights, or know where to go for help. Many refugee families are also in desperate financial situations when they arrive, many having left their homes with nothing but the clothes they were wearing. This increases their risk of suffering unfair pay, unfair working conditions, lack of access to healthcare, and more. Refugees often go into low-pay physical labor or service jobs that they are massively overqualified for. This is not sustainable financially, and it is also a huge waste of talent and expertise.
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​Eliminating these prejudices and inequalities will not benefit refugees, but also US citizens. Refugees bring unrivaled diversity, a view of the world informed by experiences most people will never have, cultural exchange that enriches communities, and new ideas that inspire societies. The US was built by refugees; people from all over the world seeking a better life for themselves and their families. It’s crucial that we remember this history, in order to build a better future.
A boy from Honduras watching a movie at an immigration detention facility in McAllen, Texas, in 2014. Credit: John Moore/Getty Images
GET INVOLVED
Every person has a path. Continue it here, together.
Mentorship through Fit In can play a pivotal role in helping our refugee neighbors assimilate into their new environment. By forming meaningful relationships, Fit In mentors and refugees together are able to build the confidence and resilience needed for us all to have a brighter future.
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