Currently, more than 43 million refugees languish outside their country of origin. Hope comes in the form of a U.S. resettlement placement for less than 1% of refugees and the chance to restore one’s life in a safe country.
The U.S. government works with the United Nations to provide resettlement opportunities in the United States. Since 1975, Catholic Charities Maine Refugee and Immigration Services has been the primary provider of resettlement services to refugees in Maine. Catholic Charities Maine Refugee and Immigration Services resettles refugees of all races, religions, and ethnicities.
What does it mean to be a primary refugee?
What does it mean to be a secondary migrant?
Why might someone move from their initial resettlement site to another state like Maine?
What is the difference between an asylee and an asylum seeker?
Which countries resettle refugees?
How many refugees are resettled in the United States?
What is the history of refugee resettlement in Maine?
How are refugees processed for resettlement in other countries?
What services does RIS provide for refugees?
Do refugees choose to come to the United States?
How long can refugees stay in the US?
What level of English do refugees have?
What types of jobs do refugees get?
Are there medical conditions that exclude refugees from coming to the US?
Can refugees become citizens, and if so, when?
Can refugees file for their families to join them?
How are refugees able to afford housing?
Does RIS work with volunteers?
Are refugees an economic drain on the community?
Are refugees the same as other immigrants?
Do refugees take away jobs from US citizens?
Can you help refugees who are living in other states or countries?
Does your office work with the Welcome Corps program?
Refugees in Maine have come from over 30 countries in: Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, Former Soviet Republics, Middle East, Eastern Africa, South/Central America, Caribbean and Cuba. Current refugee populations that are coming to Maine are from Somalia, Sudan, Congo, Ethiopia, Burma, Iran and Iraq. Trends in refugee resettlement mirror the conflicts and tragedies that are happening worldwide and as such, Maine has most recently assisted in the resettlement of Eastern African and Middle Eastern refugees.
Catholic Charities Refugee & Immigration Services has been resettling refugees for more than 40 years. More recent historical data of refugee arrivals to Maine is below and current data can be found on the Office of Maine Refugee Services data page, which tracks refugees resettled by all three agencies (CCM, MIERS & JCA) there are monthly updates on arrivals, including where they are from(nationality), the age ranges, and city of residence, among other stats. Refugees are well-documented arrivals.
A primary refugee is a refugee who arrives directly from a country of asylum or house host country (refugee camp) to Maine.
Unless a refugee can identify relatives in a particular state within the Unites States while they are being processed for resettlement overseas, they will have no choice in where they are resettled. In many cases, the secondary migrants moving to Maine are leaving initial resettlement sites that are large urban areas. They may move to states like Maine, to reunify with relatives, friends, and community members who live here and commend Maine’s safe communities, schools, and relatively affordable housing. Secondary migrants come to Maine for the same reasons that many other groups of new residents do. They come here for, “The way life should be.”
Adjustment to the U.S. culture (school, work, communities) and basic living skills can be a challenge for new arrivals. Everyday tasks, such as using public transportation, cooking with new appliances, and even dressing for different weather, can be difficult. Case managers can assist with life skills and cultural knowledge, but refugees also learn from others in their communities and through the connections and friendships they make.
An asylee is an individual who has sought and received protection from fear of persecution by submitting an asylum application to the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) and asking to be granted political asylum to reside in the United States. Asylees enter the United States on student or work visas, or as undocumented individuals, then petition for asylum, and have been granted legal status by the U.S. government.
An asylum seeker is anyone who has fled persecution in their home country and is seeking a safe haven in a new country but has not yet been granted asylum (sanctuary). Asylum seekers wishing to remain in the United States must file applications within a year of arrival. Under current federal law, an asylum seeker can receive permission to work in the United States 180 days after an asylum application is submitted.
The United States is one of many countries (Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland) that work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to provide resettlement opportunities for refugees needing international assistance and long term durable solutions to their situation.
According to the UNHCR and the US Department of State, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, although “fewer than 1% of refugees worldwide are ever resettled, resettlement remains a vital tool for providing international protection and for meeting the special needs of individual refugees who are unable to return home.”
Each fiscal year, the U.S. Department of State develops a refugee program proposal for the approval of Congress and the signature of the president.
Refugee arrivals in Maine mirror the global conflicts of the time:
The US State Department decides which refugees to resettle within our borders after they have been granted refugee status following individual interviews by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials, have passed extensive inter-agency security background checks and have passed health screenings.
RIS provides Case Management, Elder Services, Employment Services, Legal Services, Mentoring Programs, and in partnership with Language Partners: Interpretation & Translation Services.
Yes, in fact refugees are encouraged to be employed. Many of Maine's refugees are educated and experienced in a variety of fields.
Yes, when refugees start working, they start paying into the tax system.
No one ever chooses to become a refugee, and refugees are grateful for the opportunity to start their lives over in safety and security. Some may be predetermined to come to the US to join family members who have come before them, while the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR) refers others to the U.S.
Refugees may stay in the US indefinitely. They are provided with a pathway to citizenship and usually can apply within five years.
Refugees have the same rights and responsibilities as US citizens. However, they cannot vote until they become a citizen, and they cannot hold certain elected offices.
Refugees have varying levels of English proficiency when they arrive — ranging from little or no proficiency to fluency. Most often, even those who have very good English need assistance perfecting pronunciation and learning “American” English.
Due to language barriers — or professional skills that do not easily transfer to the U.S. job market — many refugees start out in entry-level jobs while they are working on their language skills or other job-related certification.
Refugees have freedom of movement. However, if they return to their home country they may jeopardize their refugee status. Refugees must apply for a Refugee Travel Document through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to travel outside of the U.S.
Yes, there are certain medical conditions that are excludable. These include active (not positive) TB, past or present physical or mental disorder with associated harmful behaviors, communicable diseases of public health significance, and Hansen’s disease.
Yes, refugees may become U.S. citizens after they have been in the country for five years. They must first apply for permanent residency after one year in the US.
Yes, refugees from specified countries may file for certain relatives to join them in the United States. RIS assists refugee clients with this process whenever possible.
The majority of refugees are able to transition to self-sufficiency within a short time after arrival. RIS assists refugee families by identifying landlords open to renting to refugees, and with applying for subsidized housing when appropriate. Refugees are eligible to work upon arrival, allowing them to achieve self-sufficiency and afford housing more easily.
Yes, the work of RIS depends heavily on local volunteer, in-kind, and private financial support to assist refugees in the resettlement process. Check out our current volunteer opportunities to get involved.
The economic impact of refugees on local communities is very small. Refugee Resettlement is a federal program designed to temporarily support refugee families while they transition to self-sufficiency.
Yes and no! All refugees are immigrants, but not all immigrants are refugees. Refugees are allowed into the US by the federal government for humanitarian reasons, and receive temporary financial support. Other immigrants come to the US under different criteria and must show that they will be self-supporting before they enter the US.
Do refugees take away jobs from US citizens?
Historically, no. Due to language barriers and employment skills that may not easily transfer easily to the US job market, many refugees initially take entry-level positions that do not require English proficiency. Also, many refugees work two or more entry-level, low-wage jobs to achieve financial stability and independence.
No. We assist refugees who are screened, processed and designated to come to Maine under the auspices of the U.S. State Department. Unfortunately, our office does not have the ability to operate or assist refugees outside of the state of Maine and outside of the United States.
No. We are not affiliated with the Welcome Corps program at this time. Please visit https://welcomecorps.org/resources/for-refugees/ for more information.
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