What does it mean to be a refugee in the United States?
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A refugee is someone who has been forced to flee his or her country because of persecution, war or violence. A refugee has a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. Most likely, they cannot return home or are afraid to do so. War and ethnic, tribal and religious violence are leading causes of refugees fleeing their countries.
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"Refugees are vulnerable people, but due to the generosity of the American people we are able to provide refugees with help and hope as they flee devastating circumstances and prepare them for independence in a new and permanent home." –Anne-Marie Grey. Executive Director and CEO, USA for UNHCR
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53% of refugees are school-aged children under the age of 18
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New displacement remains very high. One person becomes displaced every 2 seconds – less than the time it takes to read this sentence. That’s 30 people who are newly displaced every minute. 1 in every 110 people globally is either an asylum-seeker, internally displaced or a refugee.
The biggest struggles that refugees face:
Six biggest challenges faced by refugees:
1) learning the language
2) finding employment
3) impact on education
4) cultural barriers
5) homesickness
6) racism/discrimination
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Interviews with refugees:
A typical refugee family budget:
Monthly income after taxes: $1500 ($13/hr)
Rent: $1100 - $1300
Phone: $35
Transportation to and from work: $100
Travel Loan, all refugees are responsible for paying the U.S. government back for their airfare; $40
Food: Food Stamps
Total: $1475-$1675
Remaining $ for Toiletries and Household Items: $0
