Immigrants & Refugees

Refugee vs Immigrant What are the differences?  A refugee is someone who "owing to a well- founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable to or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country."  This definition does not include people who are fleeing economic hardship or are victims of earthquakes, famines, floods, and other kinds of natural disasters. These people may be deserving of humanitarian assistance or they may be admitted to the United States as immigrants, but they are not considered refugees. *According to the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees

Most Immigrants have made a home in the United States  45 percent of unauthorized immigrant households are composed of couples with children. By comparison, the figure for U.S. native households and legal immigrant households is 21 percent and 34 percent, respectively.  16.6 million people are in families with at least one undocumented immigrant, and 9 million of these families are of “mixed status” with at least one unauthorized adult and one U.S.-born child.  4.5 million U.S.-born children had at least one unauthorized immigrant parent in 2010, an increase from 2.1 million in 2000.

Stereotypes  All immigrants are considered refugees.  All immigrant and refugee families are familiar with our educational system.  All students that enroll into American schools do not have a background knowledge of the English language.  These families are draining our economic resources.

Education  It is extremely difficult for refugee children to make adjustments for life in America. These children have come to the United States after escaping war and persecution in their countries.  During the first few years in the U.S., the children must learn English, adapt to a new environment and work to catch up with their peers in school.  Often, refugee children experience challenges, having never attended school or having experienced gaps in their education due to violence and dislocation.

Discipline  In other countries, families believe in having a hierarchy. Children are not expected to disagree and talk back to parents.  As students adjust to the American culture, they learn to be independent and begin to speak up in schools.  When children apply these changes at home, parents are uncomfortable with this lifestyle change.

Work Ethic  Immigrants believe in earning their own way in the United States and not rely on public assistance.  Eight in ten (81%) immigrants say, a person has to work very hard in this country to make it - nobody gives you anything for free.  Six in ten (62%) say, the U.S. needs new immigrants to do the jobs that people born in the U.S. cant or wont do.  Only 18% say they or any member of their family have ever received food stamps.

Family Values  Because many immigrant and refugee families have lived through traumatic situations, they benefit from having close- knit families, caring communities and building trusting relationships.

Religious Diversity in the United States  Over the last few decades, Islamic mosques and Buddhist and Hindu temples have appeared in most major cities.  Immigrants are bringing new forms of Christianity and Judaism.  Many immigrants “become American” by participating in the religious and community activities of churches and temples.  The spiritual needs of immigrants are most meaningful when they can understand the language and relate to the cultural context.  The economic and social needs of these families can also be met by American churches, temples, synagogues and mosques.

Support for the Families The decision to for a refugee family to flee from their native country may be made quickly. A family of five may arrive with one suitcase. Here are several agencies in the U.S. that can help immigrant and refugee families to adjust to their new home.  The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) is an international advocacy and domestic refugee resettlement organization.  Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) offers life-saving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster.  Refugee Resettlement & Immigration Services of Atlanta (RRISA) is a non-profit agency whose multi- lingual staff members—some of them former refugees themselves—help clients begin new lives and live the American dream.

Watch This!!  This is a short video that gives insight on how the IRC supports these families. 

References  e-facts-on-immigration-today/ e-facts-on-immigration-today/   Cultural Orientation Resource Center_  Kugler, E., & Price, O. (2009). Go beyond the classroom to help Immigrant and Refugee students succeed. Phi Delta Kappan, 91(3),  Hirschman, C. (2003). The role of religion in the origins and adaptation of Immigrant groups in the United States. Retrieved from  stereotypes stereotypes