Reception and Placement of Refugees in the United States (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
June 21, 2017 |
| Report Number |
R44878 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Andorra Bruno |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), which is managed by the Department of State
(DOS), resettles refugees from around the world in the United States. Once a refugee case is
approved for U.S. resettlement, the USRAP determines where in the country the refugee(s) will
be resettled. This determination is made through DOS’s Reception and Placement Program
(R&P), which provides initial resettlement services to arriving refugees. R&P initial resettlement
assistance is separate from longer-term resettlement assistance provided through the Department
of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR).
Each year, DOS’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) requests proposals from
public and private nonprofit organizations that are interested in providing services and assistance
to refugees under the R&P Program. It then enters into a cooperative agreement with each
successful applicant. The organizations, sometimes referred to as voluntary agencies, maintain
nationwide networks of local affiliates to provide services to refugees. The services include prearrival
services (e.g., placement); reception on arrival in the United States; basic needs support
(e.g., housing, furnishings, food, and clothing) for at least 30 days; and help accessing health,
employment, education, and other services, as needed. Funding comes from the R&P Program
and contributions from other sources.
Decisions about which R&P agencies will resettle particular approved refugee cases are made at
weekly meetings in which representatives of the resettlement agencies review biographic and
other information about incoming refugees. As part of the “sponsorship assurance” process, an
agency agrees to assume responsibility for a refugee case and provide required R&P services.
Once refugees are in the United States, however, they do not have to remain in their initial
placement area. They can relocate at any time.
The R&P Program is subject to a set of statutory requirements. Regarding the placement process,
the ORR director and the agency administering the R&P Program are required to consult
regularly with state and local governments and resettlement agencies about the intended
distribution of refugees among the states and localities. The agency administering the R&P
Program is further required to consider the recommendations of the state in determining where to
place refugees within a state.
As of May 31, 2017, in FY2017, refugee arrivals have been placed in the District of Columbia
and every state except Wyoming. In FY2016, the only states with no refugee placements were
Delaware and Hawaii.
