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Refugee Resettlement Program in Maine

Refugee Resettlement Program in Maine. Tarlan Ahmadov, State Refugee Coordinator Office of Maine Refugee Services. What we’ll cover…. 1. Global trends: Forced Displacement, USA and Maine processes

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Refugee Resettlement Program in Maine

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  1. Refugee Resettlement Program in Maine Tarlan Ahmadov, State Refugee Coordinator Office of Maine Refugee Services

  2. What we’ll cover… 1. Global trends: Forced Displacement, USA and Maine processes 2. Office of Maine Refugee Services (OMRS) vs. Catholic Charities/Refugee and Immigration Services 3. Definitions and Demographics 4. Federally-funded programs / populations in Maine 5. Gaps: ineligible populations, services

  3. The world counted 258million international migrants in 2017, representing 3.4 percent of global population* In 2017, Asia hosted the largest number of international migrants (80 million), followed by Europe (78 million) and Northern America (58 million). Africa (25 million), Latin America and the Caribbean (10 million) and Oceania (8 million) combined hosted around 43 million, or 17 percent, of the global total.

  4. Trends at a Glance: 2018

  5. International Migrants & Refugees: Worldwide, U.S., and Maine Worldwide in 2018 25.9 Million recognized refugees (70.8 Million forcibly displaced persons) U.S. admission in 2015 70,000 Admission in 2016 85,000 Admission in 2017 53,000 Approved in 2018 22,941 Maximum Allowed 2019 30,000 (by May 20, 2019 - 16,539 refugees) Maine admission in 2015 442 Maine admission in 2016 642 Maine admission in 2017 358 Maine admission in 2018 66 Maximum Allowed n 2019121 (by June 15, 2019 – 103 refugees)

  6. Resettlement in the U.S. • Each year, the President of the United States, in consultation with Congress, sets the maximum number of refugees to be admitted. • Refugees being resettled in the US are thoroughly screened by the government prior to being accepted for resettlement. U.S. Refugee Admissions Program

  7. Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees, & Migration Department of Health and Human Services Administration of Children and Families Office of Refugee Resettlement, (ORR) USCCB (VOLAG) 1975 – State of Maine begins refugee resettlement State of Maine (later OMRS) Catholic Charities Maine, RIS Cambodian Refugees c.1976 Vietnamese Refugees c.1979-80 Refugee ACT 1980

  8. Overview: 40+ years of Refugee Resettlement in Maine • Catholic Charities Maine’s: Refugee & Immigration Services (RIS) has been the sole federally-designated refugee resettlement site in Maine, providing direct services to refugees and asylees since 1975 • US Department of State/PRM contracts with Catholic Charities to provide refugee reception and placement (within first 90 days) • US DHHS/Office of Refugee Resettlement began contracting with the State of Maine in the 1980’s • RIS held concurrent contract with the State of Maine to implement the Federal Refugee Resettlement Program

  9. Overview: Changes in Management of Resettlement Services in Maine • Nov. 2016: • State of Maine withdrew from administering federal refugee resettlement services in November 2016 • March 2017: • Catholic Charities Maine became federally-approved “Replacement Designee” • CCM established the new Office of Maine Refugee Services (OMRS) • OMRS holds the direct contract with ORR to administer federal domestic refugee resettlement in Maine • OMRS Role: • Distribute federal funds, set priorities within Maine, facilitate coordination among refugee providers, share information about federal policy

  10. Overview: Services funded by OMRS under 45 CFR. 400 • Office of Refugee Resettlement grant administration ( Refugee Supportive Services, Services for Older Refugees, Health Promotion, Refugee School Impact Grant, Youth Mentoring) • Refugee Cash/Medical Assistance oversight • Refugee Domestic Medical Screening oversight

  11. Overview: Office of Maine Refugee Services (OMRS) • OMRS is a state-wide entity performing in lieu of a state agency. Like the 49 other entities in the US, it is federally-designated to: • Coordinate refugee resettlement services across the state, • Fund direct service providers and provide grant management • Policy guidance • Develop programs to promote self-sufficiency and community integration.

  12. Definitions: Who is an Immigrant Refugees/Asylees Special Immigrant Visa Holders Iraq/Afghanistan Cuban/Haitian Entrants Green card holders Asylum Seekers Undocumented PEOPLE here in Maine. Includes those here on Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), those applying for status who are in removal proceedings, non-immigrants (visitors and students), and U.S. citizens (you can be a citizen, but still be an immigrant to the country).

  13. Definitions: Who is a refugee? A person who is unable to return to his or her country of origin because of a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. The 1951 United NationsConvention Relating to the Status of Refugees (Article 1.A.2)

  14. The Refugee Process

  15. Total of 154 new CCM RIS clients October 1, 2018-June 1, 2019 Total of 43 new granted asylum clients Additionally: 10 secondary migrants, 1 T Visa client

  16. Differences Between Refugees and Asylees

  17. Asylum Seeker Asylum Seeker: A person who, from fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, social group, or political opinion, has crossed an international frontier into a country with in which they hope to be granted refugee status”

  18. Key Issues/Trends: Major shifts in federal policy, funding levels, state climate Cuts in Resettlement funding. Decrease of refugee arrivals Increase of Asylum Seekers (not eligible for federal funds) Unprecedented increase of Unaccompanied Alien Children across Southern Border

  19. Basic resettlement services and integration

  20. Gaps These federally-funded services are restricted in use, and only available to ORR eligible clients: Refugees, Asylum granted, Secondary migrants,T Visa Holders, Special Immigration Visa Holders These funds exclude: • Any kind of case management, housing support, employment support or cash assistance for asylum seekers • Cultural Orientation/Employment Orientation for Asylum Seekers • Most Immigration Legal Services • Any medical case management for asylum seekers

  21. Non- federal funding

  22. New Comers Orientation Agenda

  23. Zahra Abukar, SMCC student presents on English language learning for adults Denise Beck, Portland Metro, presents on riding the bus

  24. QUESTIONS! For more information: Visit :https://www.ccmaine.org/a-z-services/office-of-maine-refugee-services Tarlan Ahmadov State Refugee Coordinator Maine Office of Refugee Services 207-523-2729 tahmadov@ccmaine.org

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