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Who is a Refugee? Refugees are men, women, and children forced to flee their homes, leaving behind all they have known for an uncertain future. They fear persecution in their home countries and are unable to return because of the threat of imprisonment, slavery or even death because of their race, religion, nationality, or political views. Their communities may have been ravaged by civil strife and war and their homes, as they have known them, may be gone. Why Do They Come to Utica? Utica, New York is one of the few select cities in the U.S. accepting newly arriving refugees. Due to its cultural diversity, affordable housing and generous spirit our city provides a platform where these new Americans can find safety, freedom and the opportunity for a better life. MYTH: The USA takes in most of the world's refugees. TRUTH: The U.S. actually takes in less than 1% of the world’s refugees. The U. S. has fewer refugees per capita than other western countries such as Norway, Sweden, Canada, Australia, & Germany. MYTH: Refugees receive between $5,000 & $30,000 when they arrive to U.S. TRUTH: There is absolutely no financial incentive to becoming a refugee. Refugees are even required to sign a promissory note and pay back their travel expenses. Certain refugees are entitled to a special program called Refugee Cash and Medical Assistance provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and administered by the state in which the refugee resides. MYTH: The resettlement agency gets huge amounts of money to resettle refugees. TRUTH: The federal government recognizes the fact that refugees leave their country under circumstances that are radically different from those of other immigrants. Based on this presumption, the federal government provides transitional resettlement assistance to newly arrived refugees. Resettlement agencies such as MVRCR are the local affiliates of national private voluntary agencies such as LIRS who contract with the Department of State to provide certain essential services for newly arrived refugees. These services include: housing, food, clothing, medical care, employment, counseling, social and cultural adjustment to make the transition to economic self-sufficiency. MYTH: Refugees are taking American jobs. TRUTH: In fact, refugees are filling jobs that Americans won’t take. They are a tremendous boost to local economies. MYTH: Refugees do not pay taxes. TRUTH: Refugees pay all taxes, including property taxes. According to the National Academy of Sciences, the average immigrant, including refugees, contributes $1,800 more in taxes than he or she receives in benefits and services provided by the government MYTH: Everybody can become a refugee and can easily come to the US. TRUTH: The U.S. has very strict rules and quotas on new refugee arrivals, determined by the President in consultation with Congress. The Department of State then determines from which countries within certain regions of the world the U.S. will accept refugees. MYTH: Refugees can go back to “where they belong” but they stay because of the U.S. welfare system. TRUTH: Because refugees are fleeing potentially life-threatening persecution in their home countries they do not have the luxury of bringing personal possessions or preparing for their new journey. Therefore, the federal government exempts newly arrived refugees from all of its eligibility provisions, which restrict access to SSI, Medicaid, and Food Stamps but only for their first 7 years after being granted such status. MYTH: Refugees don’t want to learn English. TRUTH: Most refugees, many of whom are multilingual, are desperately trying to learn English. People who haven’t struggled to learn a new language often don’t have enough appreciation for how difficult this is. Copyright © 2004 ~ Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees ~ All Rights Reserved. |