A refugee is someone who had to leave their home country and cannot return because of a well-founded fear of persecution based on religion, race, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Refugee status is granted by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and provides a path toward employment authorization, permanent residency, and eventual citizenship in the United States.

While individuals fleeing violence and persecution are all living the refugee experience, occasionally their statuses and corresponding eligibility for services can vary. Click here to see a list of Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) - eligible statuses.

Once a refugee has fled their home, the next step for most is to register with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the country to which they have fled and explore available options. Unfortunately, only 1% of refugees worldwide have the opportunity to be resettled. If refugee status is granted, their case is referred to a country that is accepting. If that is the United States, they are referred to the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). This begins a process that ranges from months to years and includes interviews to determine refugee status eligibility, fingerprinting, intensive screening, background checks, medical examinations, and cultural orientation about life in the United States.

During this process, a refugee's case is placed with a resettlement agency in the United States that accepts responsibility to help the refugee begin their new life once they arrive. In Utah, the only agencies participating in this program are the International Rescue Committee (IRC), Catholic Community Services (CCS) and now CRIC!

Upon arrival, the refugee is greeted at the airport by a representative of the resettlement agency and taken to their new home. Over the coming days and weeks, a case manager will provide essential services outlined in the Reception and Placement program to help the newcomer adjust to their new life and integrate into the new community.

Click here to check out a great summary explaining the resettlement process!

Click here to learn more about what services are provided in the Reception and Placement program!

In our first year, as a resettlement affiliate, CRIC will be able to assist at least 50 people through the Reception and Placement program. Each year, as our capacity grows, we will continue to receive more.

This number does not include the Afghans who continue to arrive, the Ukrainians we serve who arrived through the Uniting for Ukraine program, and other Humanitarian Parolees who are making Cache Valley their new home.

EVERYWHERE! 

In the resettlement program, we are able to help refugees that come from all over the world. Many of our current clients are from Afghanistan, Ukraine, Venezuela, Colombia, Syria, Eritrea, and Somalia, but we are expecting arrivals from additional countries as well.

For cases placed with our office directly through CWS and the Department of State, CRIC services begin with a 90-day Reception and Placement program which provides dedicated case management and support to overcome the first hurdles of starting a new life. Core services include airport pickup, arranging housing, applications for public benefits such as SNAP, Medicaid, and financial assistance, ESL enrollment for adults and school enrollment for children, connection to medical services, etc.

In partnership with the Department of Workforce Services, CRIC is thrilled to offer extended case management to eligible clients that extends beyond the first 90 days through 12-15 months. This program focuses on self-sufficiency in core areas such as employment, health, housing, education, language, community/family support, and life skills.

The Office of Refugee Resettlement also provides funding and support for programs to serve specific vulnerable populations. There are two programs at CRIC that provide dedicated case management for Afghan and Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees.

Of course, all of our resettlement clients are also eligible to access any of our other CRIC programs and partnerships!

In response to a world that is constantly facing new challenges, the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) is evolving and expanding in order to serve more refugees than ever before. Part of these changes is the Welcome Corps, which was launched in January of 2023 by the U.S. Department of State. This program will allow private sponsors to participate in the Resettlement program by allowing individuals across America - like you! - to come together in groups and carry out the services that historically have only been done by official resettlement agencies. This will allow more communities across the country to experience the benefits that come with welcoming refugees to our neighborhoods and creating a community for everyone.

As of right now, this program is still in its early stages. There will be 2 phases: the first will match refugees who are currently in the pipeline of the USRAP with sponsor groups in the United States. The second phase, which has not yet launched, will allow sponsor groups to identify a specific refugee family member or friend overseas whom they wish to sponsor and refer to the USRAP for consideration to be resettled in the United States.

This program is still in its early stages. There are 2 phases: the first phase matches refugees who are currently in the pipeline of the USRAP with sponsor groups in the United States ready to receive them. The second phase allows sponsor groups to identify a specific refugee family member or friend overseas whom they wish to sponsor and refer to the USRAP for consideration to be resettled in the United States.

This program is still new and evolving. Please refer to the FAQ page of the Welcome Corps website for more information! If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, you can contact us at welcomecorps@cacherefugees.org or 435-535-1246.