Refugees FAQCasey Gordon

caseygordon@kentisd.org

Pop QuizWhat is the definition of a refugee?

The UNHCR definition of refugee:

“Someone who, owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable to, or owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country”

History of Refugee Resettlement in the US

○ 250,000 displaced Europeans enter US during WW II

○ Displaced Persons Act 1948

○ 400,000 additional displaced Europeans

○ Communist regimes (Hungary, Poland, Yugoslavia, Korea, China)

○ 1960s – Cuban regime

○ 1975 – Vietnam (Temporary funding, Indochinese Task Force)

○ Refugee Act of 1980 (UN Protocols)

○ Standardized services, defined refugees, created ORR

Highs and Lows (U.S. totals)

○ 1980 – peak of 207,116

○ 2002 – low of 27,110

○ 2014 = 69,986 (ceiling of 70,000)

○ Michigan (arrivals Oct. 1, 2014 to Sept. 30,

2015)

○ 1,182 cases

○ 3,022 individuals

MI Arrivals in FY 2014Top Six:

Iraq 1,442

Burma 434

Somalia 287

DRC 254

Syria 179

Bhutan 121

Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM)

○ Different than Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC)

○ Must be eligible for refugee status

○Overseas screening / processing

○ Lack parent or relative for long term care

○Developed in 1980s for URMs from SE Asia

○ Foster care system, transitional housing program

○ Sites in: MI (Grand Rapids & Lansing), CA, D.C., MA, AZ, MS, ND, NY, PA, TX, VA, WA, UT

Why do refugees often become homeless 3 - 6

months after resettlement?

○ Private resettlement agencies assist with:

○ First 90 days: food, housing, clothing, employment services, follow-up, medical care

○ One time grant of $425 / person

○ Public Assistance (limited time, must become citizens to continue eligibility)

○ SNAP & Cash (RCA) and Medical (RMA) – 8 months (if not eligible for TANF)

○ Immigration Benefits

○ Employment Authorization & Travel documents

○ Adjustment of Status (1 yr = LPR, 5 yrs = naturalization)

○ Family Reunification

Ben

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Common Liaison Challenges○Number of people living together

○extended family

○neighbors / friends

○Communication

○Documentation

○I-94s, birth certificates, school records

○School placement

Helpful Resources

○Cultural Orientation Resource Center

○Backgrounders http://www.culturalorientation.net/learning/backgrounders

○WMRECC http://westmirefugee.org/

○MI Refugee Assistance Guidelines http://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-71547_5526_7770---,00.html

○BRYCS http://www.brycs.org/aboutRefugees/index.cfm