Abstract

The forced displacement of over 65 million people across the globe because of persecution or violence is one of the most intractable human tragedies confronting policy makers. Some of this number are refugees offered protection through resettlement in a host country. In recent years, the United States has accepted over half of the refugees provided with this relocation opportunity. The United Nations (U.N.) requires host countries to facilitate the integration of resettled refugees. Contrary to the U.N. mandate, the federal government does not strive to integrate the refugees it agrees to resettle within its borders. When compared to a theoretical integration model, this article concludes that the U.S. resettlement emphasis on rapid economic self-sufficiency falls short of the multifaceted integration process that entails adaptation on the part of refugees and host communities. Instead, the U.S. strategy of prioritizing immediate participation in the work force may undermine the successful incorporation of refugees into American society.

Community efforts can help fill the gap caused by shortcomings in the U.S. resettlement program. The author has presented workshops on U.S. law to educate local refugees about their rights and responsibilities. These workshops – described in this article – reflect one way in which host communities can foster integration, even in the absence of a national integration policy. Such a local effort can also help counterbalance national messages of exclusion.

KJ