1. Finding their Way: Refugees, Resettlement, and Realizing the American Dream
Shauna L. Sowga
Professor, Social Sciences
Columbus State Community College

2. United Nations 1951 Convention and 1967 Protocol
A refugees is: “a person, 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 or her nationality, and is unable to or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country”

3. Refugees
Refugees and asylees leave their countries because of war, genocide, or persecution due to their nationality, race, religion, political opinion or membership in a group.

4. Refugees
The United Nations High Commission on Refugees is responsible for the care and resettlement of refugees.
Before being resettled into a county, refugees spend time in Refugee camps. The average stay in a camp is between 5-15 years.

5. Refugee Numbers
According to the UNHCR, there were 19.5 million refugees worldwide at the end of 2014, 14.4 million of them under the mandate of UNHCR
around 2.9 million more than in 2013.
This is an all-time high and is considered a humanitarian crisis.

6. Refugee facts
The majority of refugees in 2015 were from Syria, Iraq, Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Burma and Sudan.

7. Refugees: Syria
Syrian refugees fleeing ISIS account for a large portion of refugees this year.
As of mid-2015, UNHCR had referred more than 15,000 Syrian refugees to the United States for resettlement.
They are currently being screened for resettlement.

8. Refugee Facts
Developing countries host over 86% of the world’s refugees, compared to 70% ten years ago.
In 2015, Turkey, alone, took in over 2 million refugees
The U.S. does not accept all, or most, refugees.
51% of ALL refugees are under age 18.

9. States Ranked by Refugees Resettled
Top 10 States Accepting Refugees in 2014:
Texas – 5907
California – 5183
Michigan – 3600
Pennsylvania – 2813
Georgia – 2516
Florida – 2249
Ohio
Arizona – 2242
Washington -2161
North Carolina
U.S. Department of State

10. Refugee resettlement
As refugees come to the U.S., they are assigned to a Refugee Resettlement Agency where they receive assistance and guidance as they begin their new lives.
Refugees do not choose where they are settled.

11. Resettlement
The Voluntary Resettlement Agencies (VOLAGs) accredited to resettle refugees provide 30 days of service through the Department of State and then provide after-care services.
Ongoing services may include public assistance, medical assistance, housing, job training, mental health, education.
Major agencies in Columbus, Ohio:
Community Refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS)
World Relief of Columbus

12. When Refugees are Resettled, They May Face:
The fact that they never going home
Loss of family and friends
Loss of familiar culture
Anxiety over discrimination in host country
Concern over cultural adaptation
Concern for economic survival
Daily Survival Issues
Language barriers
PTSD

13. How can communities be more welcoming?
Reach out to refugee agencies and local refugee groups when holding conferences and community events
Communication campaigns
Local leaders and community members reaching out to newcomers.
Joint service projects between long-term residents and newcomers (e.g., community gardens)
STUDENTS! Student engagement
Other ideas?
Source: welcomingrefugees.org

14. How can you help? Donate items needed by local or distant refugees
Donate to the UNHCR
Help spread the word about refugees, particularly in classes where applicable.
Be supportive and open to refugees in your community and at CSCC, including students who are either refugees or children of refugees
Attend local events!
Volunteer with a refugee resettlement agency

15. Resources UNHCR websites U.S. State Department
Local and international refugee resettlement agencies:
Community refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS, Columbus, OH)
World Relief Corporation (nationwide)
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (Nationwide, I volunteered for them)
U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI)