Resettlement Process

UNHCR Identification and Referral

UNHCR is mandated to ensure that refugees most in need of protection have access to resettlement. This happens with both internal UNHCR referrals and external referrals made by NGOs and other external partners like governmental agencies. Once UNHCR receives referrals, they assess the resettlement needs of the referred cases in line with UNHCR resettlement criteria, guidelines, priorities, and policy considerations. Once UNHCR makes a final decision based on the criteria, guidelines, priorities, and policy considerations, UNHCR submits the case to the resettlement country.

Resettlement Support Center Interview

The US has Resettlement Support Centers (RSCs) abroad to process refugee cases and to coordinate administrative aspects of the program.

RSCs serve to pre-screen refugees once they’ve been referred by the UNHCR to ensure they fall within US-designated nationalities and processing priorities. They create files for each case considered by the US, and prepare refugees for their interviews with Refugee Officers from the Department of Homeland Security’s US Citizenship and Immigration Services (DHS/USCIS).

Department of Homeland Security/US Citizenship and Immigration Services Interview

DHS/USCIS conduct interviews to determine whether or not an applicant is eligible for resettlement in the United States.

Any person entering the US as a refugee undergoes a refugee status determination interviews by DHS/USCIS.  When families seek protection, all adults will be interviewed, though only one member of the family must meet the US refugee definition in order to be considered. Spouses and unmarried children under 21 derive their status based on that of the primary applicant. Other types of family members – like parents, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews – must meet the criteria for refugee consideration on their own. 

If during the interview process it’s learned that the person seeking resettlement is already firmly resettled in the country they sought asylum or elsewhere, they’ll no longer be eligible for resettlement in the US.

If an applicant has been rejected by DHS/USCIS during the interview process, they cannot appeal the decision. They can only request their case be reconsidered if new or previously unavailable information arises. The DHS/USCIS official who conducted the original screening uses their own discretion in deciding whether or not to grant a new interview. To assist with this process DHS/USCIS has produced a Request for Review Tip Sheet.

Persons formally determined as refugees by DHS/USCIS receive conditional approval for resettlement until they pass a medical examination and multiple, extensive security checks.

Additional Screenings

Even after screenings from the UNHCR, and a successful interview with DHS/USCIS, applicants must go through additional medical and security checks.

The US screens for tuberculosis and certain venereal diseases. Persons testing positive for any of these conditions will have their admission to the US delayed while they receive medical treatment.

Numerous security checks through multiple federal and international databases are required and processed for all refugees. 

For more information about the extensive screenings refugees and asylum seekers undergo, see these fact sheets by:

• Human Rights First
• The US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
• World Relief
• US Citizenship and Immigration Services
• RCUSA

Cultural Orientation

IOM provides cultural orientation to all refugees before they depart for the United States. The goal is to provide factual information about what to expect in the US, teach important skills like how to call 911, and explore attitudes about adjustments once in the US.

Assurances and Travel Arrangements

Upon approval, travel arrangements are facilitated through the coordination of US resettlement agencies and the International Organization of Migration.

After a refugee has been conditionally accepted by DHS/USCIS, the RSC sends a request for sponsorship assurance to the US. The assurance process is managed by the Refugee Processing Center, a part of the State Department, in coordination with the nine national refugee resettlement agencies.  An agency’s assurance for a refugee confirms that they are willing and prepared to accept the case for resettlement and will make all necessary arrangements at the local level to receive the refugee. Once an assurance is received by the refugee processing post, travel arrangements can be made.

Travel arrangements and medical screenings are generally coordinated by the International Organization of Migration (IOM) in cooperation with RSCs. In some countries where IOM is not present, travel may be coordinated with a US embassy or by UNHCR. Refugees receive an interest free travel loan to pay for the cost of their transportation to the US.

Arrival

Where a refugee is ultimately resettled within the US is determined by one of the nine US resettlement agencies and their vast networks of community partners. Upon arrival, refugees are welcomed and provided assistance as they become established in their new communities. 

Newly arrived refugees are assigned to one of the 10 National Resettlement Agencies:

1. Global Refuge
   
2. US Conference of Catholic Bishops
3. Episcopal Migration Ministries
4. Ethiopian Community Development Council
5. Church World Service
6. International Rescue Committee
7. Bethany Christian Services
8. HIAS
9. US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
10. World Relief

The National Resettlement Agencies determine where in the United States refugees are placed. If the refugee has a US Tie, or a family member who already lives in the United States, they will most likely be placed in the same location.