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Transcript of Refugees 101 The Advocates for Human Rights is pleased to involve your class or community group in a...
Refugees 101
The Advocates for Human Rights is pleased to involve your class or community group in a day to
learn about refugees in the United States.
© The Advocates for Human Rights 2008
• What makes someone a refugee?
• The refugee journey• Refugees to the U.S. –
numbers and policies• How and why we protect
refugees
Overview
Refugees / Asylees
Refugees and asylees leave their countries
because of war or persecution due to
their nationality, race, religion, political
opinion or membership in a group.
What is Persecution?
While there is no universally accepted definition of persecution, threats to life or freedom are always considered persecution when they occur because of a person’s:
• Race
• Religion
• Nationality
• Political opinion
• Membership in a particular social group
Persecution
Other serious violations of human rights also constitute persecution, including:
• Slavery
• Prolonged detention without a charge or trial
• Torture
• Overwhelming discrimination
Note: Not all unfair or unjust treatment is considered persecution. Assessments of persecution are made on a case by case basis.
Persecution Is Based On:
•Race – Examples include Apartheid in South Africa, the Holocaust and slavery.
•Religion – Could be forbidding membership in a religion or severe discrimination for people who practice a religion.
•Nationality – Includes citizenship or membership in an ethnic or linguistic group. Examples include Kurds in Iraq and ethnic groups in the former Soviet Union.
•Membership in a particular social group – Examples include members of a tribe, former government employees, or homosexuals.
•Political opinion – Examples include membership or activity in an opposing political party.
What Is The Difference Between a Refugee and an Asylee?
• A refugee receives permission to come to the U.S. from outside of the country.
• Refugees are resettled with the help of a refugee resettlement agency.
• An asylee is already in the U.S. when s/he applies for protection.
• Asylees have to prove that they have reason to fear persecution in their home country.
World Refugee Survey (2008) 9
Finland (724)…………….1:7,300
Denmark (472)…………1:11,700
Ireland (144)……………1:30,600
Netherlands (518)……...1:31,700
United Kingdom (498)...1:122,500
Argentina (83)………...1:474,700
Major Resettlement Countries of Refugees (by total number and ratio of
refugees they accept)Australia (10,722)…….1:2,000
Canada (11,079)……....1:3,000
Norway (1,397)………1:3,400
Sweden (1,848)……….1:4,900
New Zealand (697)…...1:6,000
United States (48,281)...1:6,200
Total number of refugees worldwide at the end of 2007: 14,047,300
Q: What Must Threats to Life or Freedom Be Based on In Order to Be Considered
Persecution?
(Click for the answers)
• Race• Religion• Nationality• Membership in a particular social group
By nature of their situation, refugees have to leave their
homelands behind.
What would it feel like to leave YOUR homeland behind?
Understanding The Journey of the Refugee
The following section of slides are adapted from Flight to Hope: A Catholic Refugee Awareness Educational
Project, Prepared by the Catholic Consortium on Refugee Awareness Education (1990)
War, severe discrimination or persecution often make it too dangerous for people to remain in their homeland. This stage is characterized by:
•Fear of detection
•Anxiety about conditions
•Pressure about escape
•Fear of persecution
•Anticipated sadness over losses
Pre-Escape
Fearful for their safety or lives, refugees are forced to
flee. They may leave secretly or are chased out. Many die
trying to escape. Those lucky enough to escape their country are considered
refugees.
Illustration used with permission ©Peter Kuper
Escape
During their Escape, Refugees May Experience:
•Panic
•Shock
•Fear
•Danger
•Hunger
•Fatigue
•Separation
•Fear of victimization
•Fear of being detected or caught in the crossfire
The average stay in a refugee camp is years. Many camps are heavily guarded, surrounded by
barbed wire. Refugees are sometimes treated cruelly by guards. Most camps are
operated by the United Nations and receive help from donor countries. The refugees await solutions to
the problems in their homelands.
The Refugee Camp
The Refugee Camp Experience is Characterized By:
• Boredom
• Shock
• Depression
• Anger
•Hope mingled with disappointment
•Adjustment to new living conditions
•Hopelessness
• Fear of the unknown
• Culture shock
• Survivor’s guilt
• Helplessness
•Powerlessness
•Self-doubt
•Struggle to meet survival needs
•Confusion
Voluntary Repatriation
If changes happen in their homeland making it safe to return home, refugees are repatriated. This is the first hope for those forced to leave their homeland. Unfortunately, this seldom happens quickly, if ever. The feelings repatriated refugees experience include:
•Fear of reprisal
•Anticipation of reunions with friends and family
•Fear that deaths of loved ones will be confirmed
•Fear that loss of possessions will be confirmed
•Fear of government’s intentions
•Concern about re-integration
Refugees are sometimes allowed to leave the camps and take residency in the
host country. This usually happens when
that country is a neighbor of their own,
where the language and culture are somewhat
similar.
Local Integration
Interview for Resettlement
The United Nations officials interview people to determine if their situation “qualifies” them as refugees. Only those who can prove they are
escaping persecution and are unable to return home are eligible to ask to go to another country.
If they ask to go to the U.S., refugees are then interviewed by the U.S. Refugee Program officials
and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officials to determine if they meet our eligibility requirements. The U.S. is stricter than the U.N.
For instance, fleeing due to famine is considered economic migration not persecution by the U.S.
Approval and Flight
Refugees who are approved to come to the U.S. are given a health screening and cultural
orientation.
Refugees sign a travel loan document agreeing to pay back the cost of
the flight.
Arrival in the U.S.
As refugees come to the U.S., they are assigned to a Refugee Resettlement Agency where they receive assistance and guidance as they begin their new lives.
The Voluntary Resettlement Agencies (VOLAGs) accredited to resettle refugees provide days of service through the Department of State and then provide after-care services.
Ongoing services may include public assistance, medical assistance, housing, job training, mental health, education.
•The fact of never going home
•Loss of family and friends
•Loss of familiar culture
•Anxiety over discrimination in host country
•Concern over cultural adaptation
•Concern for economic survival
•Daily Survival Issues
•Language barriers
When Refugees are Resettled, They May Face:
Refugees to the U.S.
Each year, the federal government
determines how many refugees will be
allowed to enter. The recent yearly refugee cap has been 70,000.
According to the Department of
Homeland Security, the actual number of refugees resettled in 2006 was 41,150.
World Refugee Survey (2008) 26
Iran: 3,900
Guatemala: 3,400
Vietnam: 3,400
Ethiopia: 3,200
Indonesia: 3,100
Ukraine: 3,100
Venezuela: 3,100
Refugees to the U.S. at the End of 2007
(by Country of Origin)China: 16,800
Haiti: 12,300
Cuba: 11,700
Somalia: 11,600
Colombia: 8,200
Russia: 8,100
Liberia: 6,900
Total number of refugees in the U.S. at the end of 2007: 151,200
India: 2,800
Nicaragua: 2,400
Myanmar: 2,200
Sudan: 2,200
Other: 42,800
Q: What Phases Might A Refugee Go Through During His or Her Journey?
(Click for the answers)
• Pre-escape• Escape• Stay in a refugee camp• Voluntary repatriation• Local integration• Resettlement in another
country
What Do You Think? Can a Refugee to the U.S. ...
Sponsor a family
member to come to the U.S?
Stay in the U.S. forever?
Legally work in the
U.S.?
Become a U.S. citizen?
After Refugees Have Been in the U.S. for 1 Year, They May Apply to Become Lawful Permanent
Residents
• Lawful permanent residents have permission to remain in the U.S. for as long as they choose.
• They must keep take out permission for their green card every 10 years and remain crime free.
• They can sponsor their spouse and unmarried children to join them in the U.S.
Employment
• Refugees in the U.S. are authorized to work.
• They may be eligible for employment counseling and referrals through their resettlement agency.
• Often, the training and licenses for the profession refugees did in their home country are not accepted in the U.S.
Lawful Permanent Residents May Become U.S. Citizens
Eligible refugees may choose to go through the process of
to become a U.S. citizen.
To Become a Naturalized Citizen, One Must:
• Have a green card for either 3 or 5 years based on your particular situation.
• Be physically present in the U.S. for 2.5 years.
• Pay an application fee of $675.
• Pass the citizenship test. • Pass the interview in
English.• Swear to the judge you
will follow the laws of the U.S.
• Be of good moral character (e.g., no serious crimes).
Which States Resettle the Most Refugees?
Can you guess the top 10 states of resettlement in the U.S.?
Where would YOUR state rank in resettlement?
U.S. Department of State
Top 10 States for Refugee Resettlement in 2005
State Total Arrivals
% of U.S. Arrivals
California 7,516 13.97%
Minnesota
6,357 11.81%
Florida 4,793 8.91%
Texas 3,245 6.03%
Washington
2,847 5.29%
New York 2,568 4.77%
Arizona 1,872 3.48%
Georgia 1,870 3.47%
Wisconsin
1,851 3.44%
Ohio 1,560 2.90%
U.S. Department of State
States Ranked by Refugees Resettled
1 Califor. 11 Penns.
21 Kent. 31 Louis. 41 Alab.
2 Minn. 12 Illinois
22 Maryl. 32 R. Isl. 42 N. Mex
3 Florida 13 Mass. 23 Utah 33 N. Dak.
43 Alaska
4 Texas 14 Virgin.
24 N. Jers.
34 Nebras.
44 D.C.
5 Wash. 15 N.Car.
25 Idaho 35 S. Dak.
45 Haw.
6 N. York 16 Oregon
26 Conn. 36 Verm. 46 Delaw.
7 Arizona 17 Missou.
27 Indiana
37 Maine 47 Ark.
8 Georgia
18 Color.
28 Iowa 38 Kansas
48 Mont.
9 Wiscon.
19 Mich. 29 N. Ham
39 Oklah. 49 W. Vir
10 Ohio 20 Tenn. 30 Nevada
40 S. Car.
50 Missis.
International Laws Protect Refugees
• U.N. 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees (April 22, 1954)– Defines who is a refugee– Sets out rights of refugees– Establishes standards of
treatment by receiving countries– Limited to pre-1951 European
refugees• 1967 Protocol relating to the Status
of Refugees (October 4, 1967)– Removes geographic and time
limitations of above-mentioned Convention
Principal of Non-Refoulement
Under the international human rights principle of non-
refoulement, a country cannot deport an alien in any manner
to a territory where his or her life or freedom would be threatened
on account of his or her race, religion, nationality,
membership in particular social group, or
political opinion.
United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees 1951, Article 33; Convention Against Torture, Article 3; International Covenant on Civil
and Political Rights, Article 5
For More Information, Visit Energy of a Nation on the Web!
• Obtain accurate and up-to-date information about immigrants and refugees.
• Learn about current legislation. • Take action by contacting
leaders and lawmakers. • Participate in community
events.• Learn about the issues. • Access reports and resources
on state and national immigration.
All Free and Downloadable at: www.energyofanation.org!