Dec 18 2008
The Pipeline
Of the 1% or less of refugees that are eligible for resettlement in a third country, even fewer are eligible to be resettled in the United States. After fleeing their home and being defined by the UNHCR as a refugee, being part of a group that is of “special humanitarian concern,” or being one of a few types of family members that can apply for family reunification in the United States, refugees have only begun the long and difficult process that is resettlement in America. (http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/88040.pdf)
Interviews with immigration officials, security screenings, health screenings, and a host of other obstacles await refugees during the very beginning of the resettlement process. The interviews with immigration officials are particularly daunting to many refugees, as their futures often seem to rest in the hands of the person to whom they are relating their story.
The president presents a report to Congress each year that represents conversations between Senate and House Judiciary committees and cabinet-level presidential representatives. This report sets a ceiling on the number of refugees that can be admitted to the United States each year, as well as geographic priorities for refugee admissions. (http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/88047.pdf). This whole process takes into consideration current emergencies worldwide and there is some wiggle room for numbers.
The U.S. is not the only country that accepts refugees, and I want to explore that some in the next posts. Another resource: http://www.state.gov/m/a/dir/regs/fam/c22773.htm
