What is it about?
This report examines the contribution the the US economy, communities, and families of 1.1 million refugees who were resettled in the United States between 1987 and 2016. Refugees arrive in the country with no financial resources and initially depend on modest levels of public support to subsist. However, over time, they exceed the total US population -- which mostly consists of US citizens -- in many areas, including education, employment, personal income, and home ownership. They also develop strong family and community ties in the country.
Featured Image
Photo by Alex Radelich on Unsplash
Why is it important?
Refugees are often described as a social burden and a security threat in the public debate. This report shows that they are neither -- to the contrary, they are great contributors to their communities and to the good of their new nation.
Perspectives
This report provides an important evidence base for reform of the US refugee resettlement program. It argues for strengthening and expanding this life-saving program, rather than further diminishing it.
Mr Donald Kerwin
University of Notre Dame
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The US Refugee Resettlement Program — A Return to First Principles: How Refugees Help to Define, Strengthen, and Revitalize the United States, Journal on Migration and Human Security, August 2018, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/2331502418787787.
You can read the full text:
Resources
New Study Finds Taking in Refugees Strengthens U.S. at Home and Abroad
This is a blog on the CMS refugee report by Matthew La Corte of the Niskanen Center.
The Contributions of Refugees to the Nation and the Importance of a Robust US Refugee Program
This is a webinar on the US Refugee Resettlement paper/report, which provides key data on the success and integration of US refugees over time.
Webinar on Paper
This is the text and recording of a webinar on this paper.
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
