BACKGROUND
Refugees usually come from refugee camps in other countries and are often processed through the United Nations. The U.S. sets an annual quota for the number of refugees but has not met this goal in several years. Once they arrive in the U.S., there are designated agencies funded by the ORR/Office of Refugee Resettlement who help them with housing, education, and job placement. Refugees receive minimum funding from the U.S. government for about 4-6 months so they have time to get on their feet. Refugees admitted through the resettlement program can work when they arrive.
Asylum seekers go through the approval process in the U.S. through CBP and the immigration court system and have to document and prove their case. Many are deported by the judge. While they wait, they may be put in detention or given an ankle bracelet or cell phone so they are tracked and follow the rules.
In 2023, Welcome Corps was started which allows private groups (minimum of 5 adults) to sponsor a refugee or family. There is an extensive application process. The sponsors must aid the refugee in finding housing, a job, education, and basic needs. They have back-up resources to assist them.
RELEVANT LWV POSITION
“The League supports the following criteria for legal admission of persons into the United States: flight from persecution or response to humanitarian crises in home countries; economic, business and employment needs in the United States; education and training needs of the United States.”
TALKING POINTS
- Difference between refugees and asylum seekers
- Process for refugees to enter the U.S.
- Limit on the number of refugees admitted each year is set by the President