Minnesota Immigration & Refugee Assistance

Every year millions of people around the world are displaced by war, famine, and civil and political unrest. Others are forced to flee their countries in order to escape the risk of death and torture at the hands of persecutors. The United States (U.S.) works with other governmental, international, and private organizations to provide food, health care, and shelter to millions of refugees throughout the world. In addition, the United States considers persons for resettlement to the U.S. as refugees. Those admitted must be of special humanitarian concern and demonstrate that they were persecuted, or have a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.

Each year, the State Department prepares a Report to Congress on proposed refugee admissions, then the U.S. President consults with Congress and establishes the proposed ceilings for refugee admissions for the fiscal year. For the 2005 fiscal year (i.e. October 1, 2004 - September 30, 2005), the total ceiling is set at 70,000 admissions and is allocated to six geographic regions: Africa (20,000 admissions), East Asia (13,000 admissions), Europe and Central Asia (9,500 admissions), Latin America/Caribbean (5,000 admissions), Near East/South Asia (2,500 admissions) and 20,000 reserve.

A refugee is someone who, according to the 1951 UN Convention and Protocal Relating to the Status of Refugees, "owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his former habitual residence as a result of such events, is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it." (Convention and Protocol, pg 16)

In other words, a refugee is someone who is forced to flee their home country because of persecution.

An immigrant is a person who moves to live in a different country, whether voluntarily or by force, illegally or legally, and for a variety of reasons. A refugee is a specific type of immigrant (see above).

An asylee is someone who is unable to return to their country for the same reasons as a refugee. They entered the borders of the United States in some way (for example through a student visa) and then went through the process by seeking asylum. If granted asylum, they are legal immigrants with legal status to work in the United States.

In other words, an asylee is someone who left their country and afterwards is unable to return for fear of persecution. Select Asylum & Protection from Practice Areas to read more.

Where do Minnesota's refugees come from?

Minnesota resettles refugees from all over the world. Most come from Somalia, Ethiopia, the countries of the Former Soviet Union, Laos, Sudan, Nigeria, Iraq, Liberia, and Burma.

How did refugees get their refugee status?

Governments establish status determination procedures to decide a person's legal standing and rights in accordance with their own legal systems. UNHCR may offer advice as part of its mandate to promote refugee law, protect refugees and supervise the implementation of the 1951 Refugee Convention. The agency advocates that governments adopt a rapid, flexible and liberal process, recognizing how difficult it often is to document persecution.

UNHCR's 70-member Executive Committee sets non-binding guidelines; and the agency's "Handbook on Procedures and Criteria for Determining Refugee Status" is an authoritative interpretation of the 1951 Convention. In countries which are not party to international refugee instruments but which request UNHCR's assistance, the agency may determine a person's refugee status and offer its protection and assistance.

Refugees are granted permanent legal immigrant status from the government. They are legal to work in the United States the minute they arrive.

Resources

Catholic Legal Immigration Network

Contact Malee about your options as a refugee or asylee.

Main Page    |    Biography    |    Practice Areas    |    Resources    |    Contacts