Provides historical and demographic information about the refugee population in the United States, including U.S. policy changes since the 1990s and the extent to which human rights concerns are factored into decisions to grant refugee status. Data cover refugee admissions as a percentage of the total number of immigrants; admissions patterns with respect to country of origin and location of resettlement in the U.S.; and age, gender, and occupational distribution of immigrants and refugees. Discussion focuses on (1) the effects of acculturation on family integrity; (2) how refugees maintain connection with their country of origin; (3) refugees??? strengths and needs; (4) the role of the refugee network in supporting families in the resettlement process; (5) governmental policies and programs, including cash and medical assistance, employment services, preventive health services, and grants to assist those communities with a high concentration of refugees; (6) ways to avert the risk of welfare dependency; (7) specialized programs such as crime prevention and crisis intervention; and (8) the development of a social work model that promotes cooperation between the local population and refugees, reduces xenophobia, boosts refugees??? self-esteem, improves communication, and gives refugees the support to achieve economic self-sufficiency.
