"I came here and I felt like I had another chance to be what I want to be."
-  a Congolese student
(Netsch, Terrell, Mayorga, Al Awadh, & Kulia, 2017).

​The Facts

There are a lot of misconceptions about the process by which refugee status is granted and the process by which refugees come to America. Let's walk through the story of a typical refugee...

1. The refugee flees their home. This can be for a variety of reasons, but they are in some sort of danger based on their race, ethnicity, politics, religion, or other affiliation (U.S., 2017). This may take months, as some are walking what would be a 36-hour car ride. They may spend a long time at a camp before step #2 is possible (Netsch, Terrell, Mayorga, Al Awadh, & Kulia, 2017). 
2. The refugee presents themself to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (Infographic, 2015).
3. The UNHCR collects identification, collects biodata, interviews the refugee, and then rechecks all of the initial documents. Less than 1% of the global refugee population makes it past this step as an ideal candidate for resettlement. Those who do are recommended to an agency in a resettlement country (Infographic, 2015).
4. From this point forward, a successful candidate faces an 18-24 month process before they arrive in the United States (U.S., 2017).
5. The United States Resettlement Support Center gathers identification and opens a file on the refugee (Infographic, 2015).
6. The refugee faces enhanced security checks by the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the State Department, and the National Counterterrorism Center. Refugees from some countries face additional screening. This process is repeated any time a new connection, phone number, or other piece of identification is discovered. Any concerns halt the process. This is an ongoing step and any concerns that surface while the refugee is in later steps halt the process (Infographic, 2015).
7. The refugee is interviewed by specially trained officers from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Any new information will cause a repeat of #6. Any concerns halt the process (Infographic, 2015).
8. The refugee's fingerprint checks are conducted by the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, and the Department of Defense. Any concerns halt the process (Infographic, 2015).
9. The refugee is checked for medical concerns. They may be treated or the process may be halted if there are concerns (Infographic, 2015).
10. The refugee takes classes in cultural acclimation for the United States (Infographic, 2015).
11. The refugee is matched with a local resettlement organization. They do not get to select their relocation placement, but conditions like asthma or the presence of relatives may be considered (Infographic, 2015).
12. The International Organization for Migration books the refugee's travel. They are given 1-2 weeks notice (Infographic, 2015).
13. The Transportation Safety Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection run extensive checks on the refugee. Any concerns halt the process (Infographic, 2015).
14. The refugee arrives in the United States and is required to apply for a Green Card within one year...which triggers further security checks (Infographic, 2015).​

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Works Cited

Infographic: The screening process for refugee entry into the United States. (2015, November 25). Retrieved from
     https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2015/11/20/infographic-screening-process-refugee-entry-united-states

Netsch, L., Terrell, H., Mayorga, G., Al Awadh, H., & Kulia, G. (2017, June 20). The cultures of Perry Township. Lecture presented at Perry
​     Township Professional Development in Southport Middle School, Indianapolis.

U.S. refugee admissions program FAQs. (2017, January 20). Retrieved from
​     https://www.state.gov/j/prm/releases/factsheets/2017/266447.htm