Community Sponsored Refugee Resettlement in the US – Evaluating a New Approach
Topics:
Keywords: Refugees, resettlement, community sponsorship, integration, immigration
Abstract Type: Paper Abstract
Authors:
Pablo S Bose, University of Vermont
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Abstract
The US Refugee Admissions Program is going through a period of tremendous upheaval. After years of severe cuts to both admitted arrivals and support programs, the Biden Administration has sought to return and indeed increase the capacity of resettlement in the country. How to do so has proved to be a challenge as the infrastructure for placements has been so badly damaged over the past five years. An initial plan had been to try a new model based on community sponsorship based on recent efforts in Canada and Europe and building on earlier strategies utilized in the US. Such initiatives to more slowly rebuild the USRAP have been thrown into yet more turmoil by international crises in Afghanistan and Ukraine, amongst others. In this presentation, I explore some of the new methods and approaches currently being explored for the USRAP to deal with these realities and emerging dynamics. In particular, I focus on the idea of community sponsorship – using ordinary individuals and groups from within resettlement sites (rather than trained professionals) to do the frontline work of helping arrivals adjust to their new homes. Drawing on research with philanthropic organizations, resettlement agency staff, local volunteers and sponsors and refugees themselves, I consider the possibilities and pitfalls of this new initiative.
Community Sponsored Refugee Resettlement in the US – Evaluating a New Approach
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Paper Abstract