Refugee Resettlement – A Community Solution
12/11/2009

Refugee resettlement is indeed a complex matter and recent articles published in the News & Record have raised a lot of questions by concerned citizens about what the U.S. Government and local resettlement agencies are doing to make this process as seamless as possible. While some of these concerns speak to the larger need for thoughtful federal policy reform, other concerns can be addressed within our communities.

Who are refugees?

Refugees are people who are forced to flee their home country due to a well-founded fear of persecution due to their race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion. Refugees who have been admitted for resettlement in the United States have legal status here that is indefinite, and they may eventually choose to apply for Permanent Residence (Green Card), and even become U.S. Citizens.

Refugees have seen their homes, families and lives torn apart by war and terrorism; they face the hopelessness of decades in refugee camps and they and their families may even face death. They have little choice but to leave and try to make a new life elsewhere however, with over 14 million refugees worldwide, less than one percent are actually resettled in a third country.

Why does the United States resettle refugees?

The United States welcomes refugees each year because we are committed to global leadership on humanitarian issues. We re-locate thousands of the world’s most vulnerable persons each year who are facing oppression and near death situations. The United States also remains committed to resettlement because we aim to achieve the global fair sharing of burdens and responsibilities when it comes to assisting refugees.

Currently, developing countries actually host the vast majority of the world’s refugees. Fifty percent of refugees are received by countries with per capita incomes of $2,000 and less.

What are you doing to help refugees once they get here?

LFS Refugee Services provides services upon a client’s arrival and can provide services for up to five years after. Our contracts with federal agencies determine clients’ eligibility and duration of services. Initial services that a refugee receives when they enter the country includes airport reception, referral and assistance to appropriate health screenings, provision of essential housing, provision of decent and sanitary housing, school enrollment, social security application, DSS referrals/SSI referrals, and assistance with food stamp application. Additionally, case management, employment services, English Language Training (ELT), transportation, interpretation support, and immigration services are provided to refugees.




What is the reality of resettlement?

The process of resettlement is funded in large part by the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration, and by the Office of Resettlement within the Department of Health and Human Services. While these funds are vital to agencies, a recent study done by Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services showed federal funding accounts for 39 percent of total service and material cost per case. Resettlement agencies must work diligently to raise additional private contributions and community support to truly provide a safety net for our new neighbors.

In the early days of LFS refugee resettlement, we saw individuals and congregations assuming the primary responsibility of receiving refugees, offering them welcome, seeing to their daily needs, and helping them to find homes and jobs. Many refugees lived in the homes of volunteers and become de facto family members.

Just as economic conditions have affected many people’s ability to give it has directly affected many refugees’ ability to swiftly achieve self-sufficiency. While the Triad remains a leader in resettling refugees, now is not the time to pull back resources. Not when the most vulnerable among us need our help the most.

What can be done?

Community Support provides a crucially important piece of the puzzle. Community members can make financial contributions, provide in-kind donations such as furniture, or provide volunteer support. Employers are especially needed. Hiring from within the refugee community directly helps their ability to effectively transition to life in their new country.

Resettlement is a community effort and many dedicated volunteers continue to help us meet the emotional and financial needs of refugees. We are able to accomplish a lot on a limited budget which make community resources critical to helping refugees build lives here and eventually contribute their own valuable experiences to the unique story of our country. It may not be a perfect solution, but it is the one we are called to be a part of.

Suzanne Gibson Wise
President and CEO
LFS Carolinas

1-800-HELPING
www.lfscarolinas.org