For decades, the United States of America has played a pivotal role in providing asylum to refugees from around the globe. President Joe Biden is focusing on restoring and expanding the refugee resettlement programme, which had been significantly reduced under Donald Trump’s administration. Since the establishment of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) in 1980, the US has welcomed over three million refugees. Currently, the resettlement system involves a comprehensive process of selection, vetting, and integration for individuals seeking asylum on US soil.
What is a Refugee?
A refugee is someone who has been forced to flee their country because of persecution, war, or violence. A refugee has a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Most importantly, they cannot return home or are afraid to do so. Today, more people than ever before are affected by forced displacement. The process of seeking refuge can be complex and involves navigating through various international and national legal frameworks aimed at protecting individuals who meet the criteria for refugee status.
Refugees are individuals compelled to leave their countries due to a genuine threat of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinions. This status is defined by both American legislation and the 1951 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. According to these standards, refugees must prove that they are at risk of persecution or violence on the aforementioned grounds. It’s important to note that the term “refugee” differs from the concept of “migrant”. Migrants may cross borders in search of better economic opportunities, whereas refugees flee from an immediate threat to their life and freedom.
Where Do the Refugees Come From?
The United States accepts refugees from various regions of the world. The primary countries of origin for refugees include:
- Syria – 6.8 million people. The conflict, which has been ongoing since 2011, has led to mass population displacements, with many Syrians forced to seek refuge in other countries.A lot of services were created in order to help the refugees from Syria. Thanks to them, refugees can obtain necessary legal and medical assistance. One of such services is syriepreventionfamilles.fr.
- Venezuela – 4.6 million people. The political and economic crisis in Venezuela has led to millions of people fleeing the country in search of safety and basic living conditions.
- Afghanistan – 2.7 million people. After years of conflict, especially following the return to power of the Taliban movement in 2021, many Afghans have found themselves in a situation requiring international protection.
- South Sudan – 2.4 million people. The civil war and ethnic conflicts have led to significant displacement of the population both within the country and beyond its borders.
- Myanmar – 1.2 million people. Ethnic cleansing, particularly against the Rohingya, has forced many of the country’s residents to seek asylum abroad.
UK Asylum Process
The process of resettling refugees in the USA is meticulously regulated by the State Department under the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). The first step for a potential refugee is to register with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Following this, the UNHCR conducts an initial document check and determines whether the candidate meets the criteria to be granted refugee status. If the candidate meets these requirements, their case is forwarded to one of seven Resettlement Support Centers (RSC) located around the world.
Resettlement support centres conduct thorough interviews with candidates, collect biometric data, including fingerprints and photographs, and verify information across various databases. This data is then sent for vetting to US national security agencies such as the FBI, the National Counterterrorism Center, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
At this stage, a series of checks are conducted, including a criminal history check, a review for any ties to terrorist organisations, as well as medical tests to identify any infectious diseases. If the applicant successfully passes all the checks, their case is forwarded to USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) for final approval.
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How long can the refugee resettlement process take?
The process of resettling refugees in the US can take a considerable amount of time – from 18 months to two years or more. This lengthy period is due to the need for comprehensive checks, which include multiple stages of data verification, interviews, and medical examinations. Additional security measures introduced in 2017 have further complicated and extended the process. These measures included more thorough data collection, improved information sharing between agencies, and enhanced training for professionals responsible for reviewing applications. Despite efforts by the Biden administration to simplify and expedite these procedures, the prolonged processing times remain one of the main issues with the resettlement system.
Which state has the highest number of refugees?
When resettling refugees in the USA, their distribution occurs across various states, depending on the capacity for reception and integration. The following states accept the largest number of refugees:
- California traditionally welcomes a large number of refugees, thanks to its well-developed infrastructure and support from local authorities and community organisations.
- Texas is another state with a robust support system and a wealth of available resources for integrating newcomers.
- New York, with its multicultural environment and numerous support programmes, is an attractive place for refugees to relocate.
- Pennsylvania is actively involved in resettlement programmes and offers a variety of services to support refugees, including language training and employment assistance.
- Washington is a state that has consistently welcomed refugees for many years, providing significant support in their adaptation and integration into society.
These states actively support the resettlement of refugees, providing the necessary infrastructure and resources for their successful integration into society.
How many refugees are permitted to enter the US?
The number of refugees that can be admitted to the USA each year is determined by the President in collaboration with Congress. For the 2024 fiscal year, a cap of 125,000 individuals has been set. However, despite this high ceiling, the actual number of refugees admitted may be significantly lower due to various factors. Among these are the slowed processing of applications caused by the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, a reduction in staff at key agencies involved in resettlement, and challenges associated with reviving the programme after a significant reduction in quotas during the Trump administration years.
Screening and approval of refugees
The process of vetting and approving candidates for refugee status in the USA involves several complex stages. After a potential refugee registers with the UNHCR, their documents undergo an initial review, and then the case is transferred to American Resettlement Support Centres (RSC). There, an interview is conducted, biometric data are collected, personal information is verified, and a medical examination is carried out.
The collected data is sent for verification to a range of US national security agencies, including the FBI, the National Counterterrorism Center, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), as well as other intelligence services. The checks include reviewing the candidate’s criminal history, any connections with terrorist organisations, and identifying infectious diseases.
If the candidate successfully passes all these checks, their case is transferred to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which conducts the final interview and makes the ultimate decision on granting refugee status. It’s important to note that if the candidate fails the check, they do not have the right to appeal, except in cases where new or previously unavailable information emerges that could influence the outcome of the case.
Contact an International Solicitor
If you’re facing difficulties with the resettlement process or require legal assistance with immigration matters, our international solicitors are ready to provide you with the necessary support. We have a profound understanding and experience in immigration law, enabling us to effectively address the most complex issues related to resettlement and obtaining refugee status.
