Starting A New Life The Refugee and Immigrant Experience

1. Starting A New LifeThe Refugee and Immigrant Experience

2. PresenterMay ShoganDirector of International Exchanges and Education Department 864 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14209 Phone: (716) 883-1900 Fax: (716) 883-9529 WWW.IIBUFF.ORG

3. Refugees A person outside of the U.S. who seeks protection on the grounds of well founded fear of being persecuted on the basis of race, religion, political affiliation, political opinion or national origin. Immigrants A Foreign-born individual who has been admitted to reside permanently in the United States. They usually come to the U.S. for economic reasons or to join other family members. They are not in danger. Refugees vs. Immigrants

4. Becoming an Immigrant • Family reunification: Must be sponsored by a family member • Employment:Labor certification process • Diversity visa (Lottery)

5. Immigration Trends of the 19th and 20th Century

6. Fleeing Seeking Legal Refugee Status Seeking Resettlement Becoming a Refugee

7. Who controlls the number of refugees coming into the U.S.? The President decides how many refugees can enter the country every year and from which countries. The number is usually around 75,000- 80,000 refugees.

8. Russia Vietnam Bosnia Congo Eritrea Ethiopia Iran Somalia Kosovo Liberia Sudan Afghanistan Rwanda Iraq Burma (Myanmar) Bhutan Refugees In Western New York Over the years the refugees in Western NY come from:

9. Iraqi Refugees Quick Facts: The war in Iraq displaced 4 million people. 2 million have fled the country since 2003. 100,000 people leave the country every month. 40% of the middle class has left. 25% of people have PTSD.

10. Burmese Refugees Quick Facts: • The military government of Burma is responsible for numerous human rights violations. • Minority ethnic groups are routinely sent to refugee camps, since the regime has labeled them “anti-nationalists.”

11. TIMELINE OF BURMESE HISTORY Burma was freed from British colonial rule and made a republic. A military coup took control. After years of protest, democratic elections were held. The elected leader, Aung Sung Syu Kyi was under house arrest on and off for 20 yrs. Aung Sung Syu Kyi was released from house arrest. Democratic elections were held again, but the ruling military party “won” almost all of the seats.

12. Bhutanese Refugees • The History: Ethnic Nepali people migrated from Nepal to Bhutan in the late 1880s, living in the lowland Southern areas that the Bhutanese did not like. • The Problem: As their numbers grew, the ethnic Nepali people kept their distinctive religion, language, dress and culture. The Bhutanese majority ethnic group, the Druks, began to see them as a threat to political and economic power.

13. Brief History of The Bhutanese Repression Protests erupted against the government’s rulings. Labeled ‘anti-nationalists,’ the freedom fighters were thrown in jail. 100,000 people fled or were forced to leave Bhutan and go to refugee camps in Nepal. Bhutanese citizenship law was passed, forcing people to provide evidence they were Druk not Nepali. Ethnic dress was outlawed, and the traditional Nepali language forbidden to be taught in the classroom

14. Stresses Experienced By Refugees:

15. The Path of a Refugee: Persecution and Flight Persecution: Living in a place where the group you belong to is being persecuted because of race, religion, ethnic affiliation, social group, or political belief. Flight: Fleeing your country when your life is threatened. Take only your immediate family members and the clothes you are wearing.

16. Becoming a refugee • Refugees flee to save their own lives or that of a family member. • According to the United Nations, “The latest figures available show that the number of refugees of concern to UNHCR stood at 10.4 million refugees at the beginning of 2011, …(with) a further 4.7 million registered” Palestinian refugees in camps in the Middle East. 15.1 MILLION Refugees Worldwide

17. The waiting begins: Life in a camp If the United Nations recognizes your need for protection, you may be given a card and allowed to live in a refugee camp. You may not even be safe there, especially if you are a woman or a child.

18. Refugee Camps

19. If the answer is YES, your application becomes a case, and you wait for processing to a third country Finally – you are called back in to hear the decision on your case! Seeking Resettlement: *Only about 1% of all refugees are referred by the UNHCR for resettlement in a third country. *Of the 192 member states of the UN, 16 have established annual quotas to resettle refugees. The U.S. resettles over 50% of all refugees. * Family ties, language ability, profession and other factors are taken into consideration by the UNHCR when considering resettlement. If the answer is NO, you have other options: a) Return home, b) Stay where you are, c) Try another country.

20. The Refugee Process UN High Commission For Refugees Affidavit of relationship (family in U.S.) Embassy Referral P2 Direct Registration Class Name Check (Computer) Joint Voluntary Agency (Checks paperwork) Joint Voluntary Agency Class Refusal Denied USCIS US Citizenship & Immigration Services Approved Security Name Check Cultural Orientation • Motion to: • - Reconsider • - Reopen INS Refugee Data Center Assurance International Organization For Migrants (Travel loan) Medical USA

21. Voluntary Agencies in the U.S. • Church World Service (CWS) • Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society/ Episcopal Migration Ministries (DFMS/EMM) • Ethiopian Community Development Council (ECDC) • Hebrew Immigrant Aid society (HIAS) • United States Commission For Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) • International Rescue Committee • Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) • United States Catholic Conference (USCC) • World Relief Corporation (WRC)

22. Resettlement Agencies in Buffalo • International Institute of Buffalo • Journey’s End • Catholic Charities • Jewish Family Services

23. Refugee Resettlement in the US - Pre-travel Activities • Assurance Process • Medical Clearance • Security Clearance • Cultural Orientation - Travel to the US - US Arrival and Reception

24. Coming to America • After passing medical and security clearances, then refugees are eligible to fly to the U.S. They may only have a day or two notice that they are leaving. • Resettlement agencies ‘assure’ the case in advance, but may only have a couple days notice that a family is coming and needs a new home.

25. Services and Benefits Provided • No Interest travel loan to come to the U.S. • 8 months Refugee cash Assistance (RCA) and Medical Assistance (Medicaid) • Food Stamps • Basic needs such as initial housing, furnishings, food, clothing • Community orientation • Social Security Cards • School Registration for children • Referrals for medical appointments and other supportive service needs • Employment Services • English language classes • Case management (Through local agency and caseworkers) • Other services depending upon location and local capacity • Adjustment of status from refugee to legal permanent resident (In 1 year)

26. Unmet expectations Low economic & social status Language barrier Bad news from home Discrimination / racial insults Values conflict Transportation limitations Social isolation Identity issues Role loss/ ambiguity/ reversal Unemployment/ underemployment Family reunification Sex ratio inequities Inadequate housing Legal status questions Secondary migration Intergenerational conflict Neighborhood violence Poor physical and mental health Stresses Experienced By Refugees After arrival in the U.S.

27. Adjustment Stages: Adjustment Stages: Stage One: Excitement or “Honeymoon period”Stage Two: WithdrawalStage Three: AdjustmentStage Four: Enthusiasm

28. Facts Refugees are legally permitted to enter the United States. After one year in the United States refugees must file to change their immigration status to “Legal Permanent Resident”. After five years in the United States they may apply for citizenship.

29. “Tell me and I’ll forget, show me and I may not remember, involve me and I’ll understand”- Native American Proverb