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Research & Resources
Introduction
Over the past 50 years the definition and nature of refugees has drastically changed across the world. For the US in particular, the amount of refugees has fluctuated throughout the years due to several global conflicts, humanitarian crises, and changes in presidential systems. Compared to other countries around the world, the US has a relatively low admission rate for refugees due to the lengthy process and other policies prohibiting easy access.
The term “refugee” was first defined in the US by legislation signed in 1980 which simultaneously set a system for admitting refugees. After the start of the program around 200,000 refugees were admitted, however, now that number has dropped to 25,465 in 2022. In 2016, Obama hoped to increase the maximum number of refugees from 80,000 to 110,000 due to the worsening conflicts in Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Trump, however, reversed the proposal and decreased the number of admits in FY2017 to 50,000 and then eventually 18,000 in 2020. President Biden reversed these and made an even more dramatic change when he increased the ceiling to 62,500 in 2021 and 125,000 for FY2022 and FY2023, but these ceilings have still not been met since Trump's reductions have been hard to reverse.
Over two million refugees require protection through third-country resettlement and the USRAP has been able to assist these people and advance national security efforts and support effective lawful immigration. The US has also been able to resettle over three million refugees since 1975. 31 percent of these refugees coming to the U.S. as of January 2023 went to just 5 states: Texas, California, New York, Kentucky, and Washington. This is most likely due to the increase in resources and space obtained by these states and hopefully made accessible to refugees. Due to the United States diverse field of opportunities, refugees are more likely to find unique and different experiences depending on which city or state they choose to reside.
Between 2010 and 2021, 19% of refugees coming to the US were resettled in Texas and California.
Cumulative amount of refugees resettled, FY2010 - FY2021
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Explore the data and source at usafacts.org © 2024 USAFacts.org. All rights reserved.
Resettlement Process
The system by which refugees are admitted is often lengthy and complicated. After refugees are admitted to the USRAP, where the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) determines that there is a “well-founded fear of persecution” in their home country, the UNHCR then submits the refugees background information to the U.S. government. More extensive background checks are completed, a pre-screening interviews through the Department of Homeland Security, and finally a medical screening. Once this process is completed, a person can be classified as a refugee and granted resettlement in the U.S.. Once refugees are cleared for resettlement in the U.S., the IRC and 8 other organizations assist them in adapting to their new lives and help find individuals and families employment, housing, and other services. Refugees may move to a city in which they are familiar with people, such as family or friends, or in a community with a shared language or culture. Still, it is also essential to assess living costs and access to medical care. However, since refugees are legal U.S.residents, they can essentially decide where they would like to live.
In between fleeing a country and resettling, many refugees are required to stay in refugee camps. Although these camps are not a permanent solution, they provide refugees with adequate shelter, food, water, medical treatment, and other services. Refugee camps have, however, become permanent solutions for many people forced to flee their homes. After former president Trump's sudden limits of refugee admission, many people were forced to wait for years at a time outside the U.S.without adequate shelter and resources. Despite the circumstances at the camp, people remain persistent and wait outside the borders since many believe that what they experienced in their home country was much worse. The camps mostly house people attempting to flee Mexico, however, in the Trump administration he enacted the ‘remain in Mexico’ policy preventing people from entering the U.S.. One mother describes how in the refugee camps, “You have to withstand everything here: sun, water, cold, heat, we have it all.” Although these camps attempt to provide education opportunities, they often fall short and leave millions of children without access to education. Under the Biden Administration, the ‘remain in Mexico’ policy was ended leading to the disbandment of many of these camps in the U.S.. There still remains countless refugee camps housing of immigrants
Education
Even after resettlement, however, many refugees still struggle with finding adequate opportunities for education and employment. In 2020 40.6% of Refugees arriving in the United States were within the age of 0 and 17. Close to half of these refugee children remain out of school. This article includes an in depth explanation of the significant disadvantage and mistreatment that countless refugee children experience. Acts of xenophobia and discrimination restrict refugee children's access to vital resources and protection. Around 50% of refugee children are not in school due to the extreme educational turmoil they undergo while leaving a country, which can be hard to restart after arriving in a new place. Education is not prioritized in refugee camps and the International Rescue Committee stated that less than 3% of humanitarian aid goes to education. Discrimination is a primary inhibitor for refugee children's education and it is even greater for refugee girls. These girls might undergo greater discriminatory gender norms, responsibilities at home, and practices such as child marriage. After refugees have been forced to flee their home countries for their own protection, education can often be set aside in place of providing protection.
Employment
This discrimination towards refugees continues beyond education for children and women refugees, in particular, often suffer economic exclusion while searching for employment. In American culture there have been countless examples of xenophobia ranging from employment discrimination to police and healthcare discrimination and also verbal harassment. The University of Chicago recently published a study that found 22% of migrants, who were mostly female, to be employed in private households and subjected to 12-hour shifts, with little pay and often examples of abuse. Refugees' lack of access to education has extensive long-lasting implications that only further bias. Acts of xenophobia in the workplace often stems from a fear that refugees negatively impact the wages and employment of the host country. Refugees, however, often benefit a host country and can contribute to great economic and social advancements. It is therefore vital to look into the causes of the low employment rate to not only which will not only benefit refugees but also the host company itself.
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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