Definitions Refugee: "a person outside of his or her country of nationality who is unable or unwilling to return because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.“ Asylee: A foreign-born resident who is not a US citizen and who cannot return to his/her country of origin or last residence due to race, nationality, membership in particular social group, or a political opinion. As asylee receives this status after entering the US. Parolee: A foreign born person who has been given permission upon arrival to enter the United States under emergency conditions or when his/her entry is considered to be in the public interest. Special Immigrant Visa Holders (SIV’s): A special class of visa holders who worked for or were contractors of the United States government in Iraq or Afghanistan for at least one year after March 20, 2003.

A Refugee’s Story Refugee flees from his/her country of origin to seek safety Determined admissible to the U.S. Pre-Travel: Assurance Medical Clearance Security Clearance Cultural Orientation Arrives in the U.S. Moves into new home Obtains ‘refugee status’ from

Refugees Living in LaCrosse Since 1995: 302 refugees have been resettled into LaCrosse County. Refugees living in LaCrosse are primarily from Laos with some arriving from Belarus. The last refugee arrived to LaCrosse in April 2009.

Where are refugees from? Laos, Burma, Iraq, Bosnia, and Somalia represent the largest populations Other refugees are from the following regions: Southeast Asia Middle East Africa Former Refugee Populations

Available Resources The WI State Refugee Office coordinates refugee resettlement throughout the state The LaCrosse Area Hmong Mutual Assistance Association provides cultural, educational, economic and social services to refugees and former refugees in the LaCrosse area. The Wisconsin United Coalition of MAA’s (WUCMAA) - Onalaska.

Needs within a shelter setting Language barriers Literacy Levels (functional literacy) Religious accommodations (prayer space, holidays, foods, meal times, gender roles) Modes of communications (verbal vs. non-verbal) Family Compositions Gender groupings