How does a refugee come to the United States?  

Most refugees seek shelter in geographically close countries. Typically, they spend years, even decades, in a refugee camp or urban setting waiting for the situation in their home country to improve, or for the chance to be resettled elsewhere. Fewer than 1% of refugees are ever resettled into a third country; there is not nearly enough capacity to resettle all the refugees who need a place to go.   

The U.S. has historically led the world in terms of refugee resettlement, and today remains the top resettlement country.   

What is it like to be resettled? 

Refugees undergo the most comprehensive screening of any entrants to the United States.  

After registering with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, a refugee may be referred for resettlement. A refugee must then undergo a comprehensive screening process aimed at ensuring that the refugee will not pose a security risk to the United States. The process includes security checks with multiple U.S. government law enforcement and intelligence agencies, as well as examinations of the refugee’s biographic and biometric information. Each refugee must also undergo a medical screening and an in-person interview with a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services official. People from certain countries are also required to undergo a retinal scan to confirm their identity. This process usually takes at least 18 months but can take much longer. New information, expiration of a medical or security clearance, or external circumstances such as health outbreaks in refugee camps or natural disasters can cause delays that require the refugee to restart the process. 

Refugees who have gone through these steps are then assigned a resettlement location within the United States by one of nine U.S.-based nonprofit refugee resettlement agencies.   

Welcoming Refugees 

Nonprofit and faith-based organizations in the U.S. have always played a leading role in helping to resettle refugees. Across the country, organizations like the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants work with refugees directly to support their resettlement and integration. Such organizations rely on local volunteers who provide support to refugee families during their first months here.   

After a year, refugees must apply for a green card to have residency status. After five years, they can apply for U.S. citizenship. 

One little-known fact is that refugees must repay the cost of their travel to the United States within 3.5 years of arrival.  

What kind of help do refugees need? 

• Workforce readiness and employment  
• Medical and mental health services 
• English language skills  
• School enrollment support for their school-age children 
• Orientation to their new communities 
• Housing and food assistance

How do you fare on the citizenship test questions for naturalization?

The civics practice test is a study tool to help you test your knowledge of U.S. history and government.    Try it here!