Explaining the Resettlement Process

Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state, the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country. 
                                               -Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948

It is not easy to achieve refugee status, and very few refugees are ever considered for resettlement. Less than 1% of all refugees are resettled in third countries.

Refugee camp in Chad (http://en.wikipedia.org./wiki/Refugee_camp)

To qualify for the United States resettlement program, an individual must fulfill four criterion: 

1. Belong to the priority category for a specific nationality in a specific region.

2. Be referred by a U.S. embassy, UNHRC, or specific NGOs

3. Meet the U.S. Definition of a 'refugee' which distinguishes such a person to be one located outside of the U.S. and "is of specific humanitarian concern to the United States, who demonstrates that they are persecuted, or fear persecution due to race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular group," 

4. Not be excluded under INA Section 212(a) which rejects any applicants with a communicable disease, has not been vaccinated for specific illnesses, suffers from a mental or physical disorder and behavior related to that disorder that poses a threat to others or property, or who is a drug user. 

In fact, only  four years ago on the 4th of January, 2010, HIV was listed as a condition which made inadmissible into the U.S. impossible. 

After being accepted by DHS ( Department of Homeland Security ) or USCIS ( United States Citizenship and Immigration Services ), a resettlement support center sends out what is called a 'sponsor assurance request's the U.S. This request provides confirmation that a private agency is prepared to accept the new arrivals. Refugees must then undergo medical testing to screen for different diseases such as tuberculosis. 

Post-9/11, the U.S. heightened background checks on approved refugees to include security checks through multiple federal and international databases. These intensive checks cause delays and a backlogging of cases. In 2004 DHC put a limit on the number of refugees allowed per flight ranging from 35-70 depending on the Port of Entry. 

           

        Egyptian family boards a plane leaving Libya 
(http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Defense.gov_News_Photo_110305-M-227H-537_-_Egyptian_refugees_fleeing_Libya_board_a_U.S._Air_Force_KC-130J_Hercules_aircraft_in_Djerba,_Tunisia,_on_March_5,_2011.jpg)

Haitian refugees board a U.S. aircraft in Port-au-Prince, Haiti (http://wwwflickr.com/photos/coast_guard/4281216556/in/photostream)

Upon arrival in the U.S. the resettlement agencies are tasked with providing the refugee with a set of services for the first 30-90 days depending on the agency. In some cases, specific services are offered for up to eight months. These services include food, housing, clothing, employment services, and follow-up medical care. While many agencies are probably provide excellent assistance, many do not, and without advocates, it is very hard for refugee families to hold these agencies accountable to their promises and responsibilities. 

Family is welcomed at the airport by the church group that is part of their sponsor team.
(http://www.rcusa.org/post-arrival-assistance-and-benefits)

While 30-90 days seems like a long time, it is not. Imagine leaving your country and being resettled in Malaysia. You have no possessions, no savings, credit score, and any qualifications you may have earned in your home country are invalid. You have a bi-weekly Malay or Mandarin class for three months after which you are expected to be 'conversational.' You must attend this class in order to receive Maylasia's equivalent to SNAP benefits--regardless of struggles with childcare or transportation--and rent assistance. The classes are over-crowded, so you and your spouse must take turns attending the class on alternate weeks. Your Malay isn't good enough for you to begin job training, so you are completely dependent on you agency to pay for food, clothes, and rent. Unfortunately, the agency could only find you a five bedroom house on the outskirts of town, so you must spend 80% of your monthly allowance on rent. Your daughter has a medical condition, but the agency is very backed-up, and probably won't be able to get your child an appointment for 13 months. Your other children are thrown into the public school system, despite being illiterate and unfamiliar with the curriculum. It is summer and 33 degrees Celcius. Your children only have coats and long pants, but you have neither the money nor the knowledge to get them shorts and T-shirts. Unable to speak or write in Malay, you are mute. Soon, your 30-90 days are up. You were promised medical treatment, education, housing and a better life. 

This is not the experience of all refugees resettled in the U.S., but it is the experience expressed to me by many friends who have been resettled in Springfield, Mass. Interestingly, most of them who immigrated as teenagers or older adults have expressed desire to return to Somalia, while those who arrived as children or in their 30s-50s are willing to stay. 

After one year in the United States, refugees are able to apply to be a permanent resident, and after five years as a permanent resident they may petition for naturalization. 

Immediate family of refugees can enter the U.S. through the Visa 93 process. This procedure is used when families have become separated and gives a spouse and unmarried children (under 21) of a resettled refugee, so long as they have not yet become a citizen, automatic refugee status.

A Bhutanese man and his two sons become citizens in Twin Falls, Idaho
(http://magicvalley.com/news/local/first-bhutanese-refugees-become-u-s-citizens/article_867779a6-4d8e-5307-b396-ec9bfd7d524d.html)