Human Services Providers’ Perspectives on Refugee Resettlement in the United States before and after the 2016 Presidential Election

Abstract

The United States has historically accepted and resettled refugees by opening its doors to those fleeing violence, armed conflict, or persecution around the world. However, the degree of receptivity toward refugee resettlement has vacillated over time. This study examines the challenges and opportunities that Refugee Resettlement Agencies (RRAs) experienced prior to and after the 2016 U.S. Presidential election. The findings presented in this paper, based on focus groups with the RRA staff, revealed that there is a greater need for understanding the refugee resettlement process and how changing immigration policies impact state-federal funding.

Keywords:

• Refugee
• refugee resettlement
• immigrant integration
• immigration policy
• U.S. presidential elections

Acknowledegements

We would like to thank the Refugee Resettlement Agencies that have cooperative agreements with the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement who provide reception and placement services for refugees arriving in the United States. Specifically, the staff of Lutheran Services of Georgia, now known as Inspiritus, for their leadership to complete this research.

Notes

1 The twenty RRA office locations are located in the following cities: Modesto, Sacramento, Southern California, Jacksonville, Atlanta, Chicago, Dupage/Aurora, Moline, Baltimore, Minneapolis–St. Paul, Triad, Durham, Akron, Upstate SC, Memphis, Fort Worth, Tri-Cities, Seattle (Kent), Spokane, and Fox Valley.

2 These states are California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin.