What is the US refugee resettlement process?

What is the US refugee resettlement process?

After a refugee has been conditionally accepted by DHS/USCIS, the RSC sends a request for sponsorship assurance to the US. The assurance process is managed by the Refugee Processing Center, a part of the State Department, in coordination with the nine national refugee resettlement agencies.

What do refugee resettlement agencies do?

A Resettlement Agency (RA) provides resettlement assistance and is initially the sponsor of a refugee entering the United States. The RAs contract with the U.S. Department of State to provide services such as reception, basic orientation, counseling, food, shelter and health services to refugees.

What is the resettlement process for refugees?

To be considered for the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, refugees must first be referred by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) or be eligible to apply through one of the Direct Access Programs. When a referral is made, the case is first received and processed by a Resettlement Support Center.

How does the resettlement process work?

Resettlement is the transfer of refugees from an asylum country to another State, that has agreed to admit them and ultimately grant them permanent residence. UNHCR is mandated by its Statute and the UN General Assembly Resolutions to undertake resettlement as one of the three durable solutions.

How does resettlement work?

How do resettlement agencies work?

The resettlement agencies assist refugees during their initial resettlement in the United States, including enrolling in employment services, registering youth for school, applying for Social Security cards, and connecting them with necessary social or language services.

Does the United States accept refugees?

U.S. Refugee Admissions Program Since the passage of the Refugee Act in 1980, which incorporated this definition of refugee into the INA, the United States has admitted more than 3.1 million refugees.

Who qualifies for resettlement?

2) Who qualifies for resettlement? Resettlement under the auspices of UNHCR is only available to mandate refugees who have a continued need for international protection. The search for durable solutions is a central part of UNHCR’s mandate.

Who is eligible for resettlement?

They must fit into one of the seven resettlement categories which are: woman and girls at risk, legal and/or physical protection needs, survivors of torture and/or violence, medical needs, lack of foreseeable alternative durable solutions, family reunification and children and adolescents at risk.

How long is refugee resettlement?

An average of nearly two years. While the total processing time varies depending on an applicant’s location as well as other circumstances and policy changes, the vetting time – from the refugee’s initial UNHCR referral to his or her arrival in the U.S. –has averaged approximately 18 to 24 months in recent years.