|
Refugees are people who have fled their countries of origin to escape persecution. In fiscal year 2010, the U.S. government admitted 73,311 refugees to the country. Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service was privileged to welcome over 10,000 of those refugees, working with them to establish new lives in American communities.
Challenges
The U.S refugee resettlement program was designed more than three decades ago, and the domestic program has not been significantly reformed since then. These are among the challenges that LIRS tackles:
- While many refugees are able to find jobs quickly and adjust to their new lives, others require more assistance and services.
- The refugee resettlement program is chronically underfunded and has not kept pace with basic costs of living for refugees. While private support plays an important role in the reception and integration of refugees, federal resources are critical to ensure that refugees receive essential services.
- Changes in priorities for overseas processing of refugees are not incorporated into domestic refugee planning and appropriations. The refugee program needs improved coordination.
LIRS's Position
LIRS advocates creating a more flexible resettlement program that better meets the needs of refugees of the 21st century and helps them successfully integrate and become full members of society. Ideally, reform would adhere to these four principles:
- Community engagement is critical throughout the different stages of refugee resettlement: protection, stabilization and integration.
- Family unity and family reunification are basic human rights and are essential for long term integration.
- Federally funded programs should be outcome driven, with basic common standards and the flexibility to be responsive to the diverse strengths and needs of refugees arriving today.
- Federal agencies should improve coordination to capitalize better on the strengths of the various federal and non-federal actors to limit duplication of effort and maximize impact.
Legislation
The Refugee Protection Act of 2011
This bill would ensure that refugees receive adequate assistance when they arrive to the United States, update and review the U.S. refugee resettlement program, and reunite refugee children who have lost their parents with family and other loved ones. Read our June 16, 2011 statement in support of the Refugee Protection Act of 2011.
Click here for a summary of this bill: The RPA of 2011
The Domestic Resettlement Reform and Modernization Act of 2011
Over the last three decades, refugee populations arriving to the United States have changed significantly. In the early 1980s, the majority of refugees admitted to the United States were fleeing conflicts in South Asia. Today the refugee population is more diverse and vulnerable, with over 60 nationalities represented in FY 20011. Recognizing these changes, this bill would assess the well-being of refugees resettled to the United States by requiring the government to analyze the challenges refugees and communities face and the effectiveness of efforts to help refugees attain self-sufficiency. Read our April 12, 2011 statement in support of the Domestic Resettlement Reform and Modernization Act of 2011.
Click here for a summary of this bill: The Domestic Resettlement Reform and Modernization Act of 2011
Supplemental Security Income for Elderly and Disabled Refugees
On September 30, 2010, nearly 2,500 refugee and vulnerable migrant seniors and persons with disabilities lost access to a federal assistance program called Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This modest, monthly stipend assists individuals who meet income guidelines and are unable to work due to their age or disability. H.R. 2763, bipartisan legislation introduced by Representatives McDermott (D-WA-7) and Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL-18), would extend SSI assistance by two years and prevent this vulnerable population from losing a critical lifeline. Without Congressional action these benefits will expire again on September 30, 2011.
Read a summary of the bill: H.R. 2763.
|
 |
|
