According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), a refugee is defined as:
“Any person who is outside their country of origin and unable or unwilling to return there or to avail themselves of its protection, on account of a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular group, or political opinion.”
Refugees legally enter the United States in search of freedom, peace, and opportunity for themselves and their families.
Since CCM began resettling refugees in the 19___, 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 persons granted asylum 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.
A secondary migrant is a person who entered the United States as a refugee and was resettled in one state, but then chose to move to another state. For example, a refugee who was resettled in Chicago, IL, but then chose to move to Portland, Maine, would be considered a secondary migrant when arriving in Maine.
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.
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.
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