Current Refugee Policy
What is the process like to become an accepted refugee in the United States? It is a difficult and long process an being accepted- especially from Somalia is like winning the lottery. In accordance with the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration, the Department of State, the Office of Refugee Resettlement, and the Department of Homeland Security the Refugee Admissions Program conducts interviews and determines eligibility for refugee status for individuals hoping to come to the United States. Three principal categories that classify refugees are considered in order to assess an individual. One- individuals with persecution needs or those with no other durable solution exists. If qualifying under this priority then they are referred by the UNHCR or identified by a US embassy or NGO to the United States for consideration. Two- groups of special concern to the US, these individuals are selected by the Department of State, current groups include people from the former Soviet Union, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Iran, Burma and Bhutan. Three- individuals who are relatives of refugees currently settled in the US, the US based relative must file an Affidavit of Relationship and this must be processed by the Department of Homeland Security.
After qualifying through one of these three means the individual undergoes extensive interviewing, screening and clearance processes conducted by Regional Refugee Coordinators in their country. A prospective refugee may be excluded from entry based on health related reasons, moral/criminal grounds and security grounds. They can also be excluded based on polygamy, misrepresentation, smuggling or previous deportations. Assuming a prospective refugee makes the cut thus far they are conditionally accepted for resettlement. At this point the Resettlement Support Center sends a request to the US and the Processing Center works with private voluntary agencies (VOLAGS) to determine where the individual should live. Volags consider social networks, cost of living, ability to integrate and other cultural ideals when picking a city for the refugee. This whole process may take 18-24 months on average to complete.[5] Finally, when they are accepted and placement is secured and all security and medical checks are completed the International Organization for Migration schedules and arranges travel to the US- however, refugees sign a note promising to repay the US for table costs, something I find highly controversial. What life is like once they arrive in the US will be discussed on a future page. The US policy has potential of changing with the upcoming Presidential election. Due to the current Syrian crisis as well refugee numbers have been increased but mainly in order to accept a higher number of Syrians.