E.g., 06/04/2024
E.g., 06/04/2024
Refugees & Resettlement

Refugees & Resettlement

_RefugeeResettlement

The world has millions of refugees who are unable to go home or unwilling to do so in the face of persecution. Resettlement to a third country is considered for only a fraction of refugees, those whose conditions are so perilous or whose needs cannot be met in the country where they first sought protection. Only a small number of states take part in UNHCR resettlement programs—among them the United States, Australia, Canada, the Nordic countries, and increasingly some countries in Europe and Latin America. The research here examines refugee protection and resettlement policies.

Recent Activity

Bhutanese_Refugees_Employment_Workshop
Commentaries
September 2017
Why Hide the Facts About Refugee Costs and Benefits?
By  Kathleen Newland and Randy Capps
Engaging Communities in Refugee Protection: The Potential of Private Sponsorship in Europe
Policy Briefs
September 2017
Engaging Communities in Refugee Protection: The Potential of Private Sponsorship in Europe
By  Susan Fratzke
Tracing the Channels Refugees Use to Seek Protection in Europe
Reports
September 2017
Tracing the Channels Refugees Use to Seek Protection in Europe
By  Susan Fratzke and Brian Salant
CubaCar PedroSzekely Flickr
Articles
July 6, 2017
Cuban Migration: A Postrevolution Exodus Ebbs and Flows
By Jorge Duany
_TravelBan
Commentaries
June 2017
The Supreme Court’s Opinion on the Revised Trump Executive Order: What Does It Mean For Refugees?
By  T. Alexander Aleinikoff
Weathering Crisis, Forging Ahead: Swedish Asylum and Integration Policy
Reports
June 2017
Weathering Crisis, Forging Ahead: Swedish Asylum and Integration Policy
By  Susan Fratzke
20100329_GSaitta_Salima_Boise6 IRC
Articles
June 7, 2017
Refugees and Asylees in the United States
By Jie Zong and Jeanne Batalova
How Are Refugees Faring? Integration at U.S. and State Levels
Reports
June 2017
How Are Refugees Faring? Integration at U.S. and State Levels
By  Michael Fix, Kate Hooper and Jie Zong

Pages

Feature
January 1, 2004
Minimizing Development-Induced Displacement

Courtland Robinson of Johns Hopkins University analyzes steps to minimize the negative side of development, which has uprooted millions worldwide.

Feature
December 1, 2003
Refugee Protection in Regions of Origin: Potential and Challenges

Jeff Crisp weighs the pros and cons of creating safe areas for refugees in their region of origin.

Profile
November 1, 2003
Turkey: A Transformation from Emigration to Immigration

Long a country of emigration, immigration, and asylum, Turkey has also become a country of transit for immigrants, according to Kemal Kirisci of Boagazici University.

Feature
September 1, 2003
Resettlement in the Nordic Countries
The efforts of Nordic countries to provide safe harbor to refugees are outlined by Mette Honore, Senior Legal Consultant to the Danish Refugee Council.
Feature
August 1, 2003
West Africa's Refugee Crisis Spills Across Many Borders
Policy analyst Jeff Drumtra maps out the devastating wars that are producing a flood of refugees in West Africa.

Pages

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Recent Activity

Commentaries
September 2017

Why Hide the Facts About Refugee Costs and Benefits?

No enterprise in the United States could survive if it only counted the costs of doing business and ignored the benefits side of the ledger. But that is exactly how some Trump administration officials are evaluating the refugee resettlement program, rejecting a well-researched Department of Health and Human Services report that finds refugees brought in $63 billion more revenue to governments than they cost over a ten-year period, as this commentary notes.

Policy Briefs
September 2017

Engaging Communities in Refugee Protection: The Potential of Private Sponsorship in Europe

Across Europe, grassroots efforts have emerged in the wake of crisis that draw members of the public into the process of receiving refugees and supporting their integration. This policy brief examines the many forms community-based or private sponsorship can take, what benefits such approaches may hold for European communities, and the tradeoffs policymakers face in their implementation.

Reports
September 2017

Tracing the Channels Refugees Use to Seek Protection in Europe

Following the 2015­–16 crisis that saw record numbers of refugees arrive in Europe, policymakers have shown interest in creating managed, legal alternatives to the dangerous, unauthorized journeys many asylum seekers make. While these discussions should be informed by an understanding of current pathways and protection channels, it is "nearly impossible" to know how protection seekers enter and what legal channels are available to them, as this MPI Europe report explains.

Articles
July 6, 2017

Cuban Migration: A Postrevolution Exodus Ebbs and Flows

The Cuban Revolution unleashed a massive exodus from the island. Cuba is now among the top origin countries of immigrants in the United States—where for decades they have received preferential treatment—with smaller numbers across Europe and Latin America. This article explores the evolution of Cuban migration, particularly within the context of the Cold War and shifting U.S. policies toward the country.

Commentaries
June 2017

The Supreme Court’s Opinion on the Revised Trump Executive Order: What Does It Mean For Refugees?

Legal analysis of the Supreme Court’s opinion allowing aspects of a controversial Trump administration executive order to take effect has largely focused on the travel ban on certain nationals from six predominantly Muslim countries.  Less noticed was the justices' views with regards to the temporary suspension of the refugee resettlement program. This commentary explores the ruling's possible consequences on refugees.

Reports
June 2017

Weathering Crisis, Forging Ahead: Swedish Asylum and Integration Policy

As the number of asylum seekers arriving in Sweden each month climbed to the tens of thousands in late 2015, the Swedish asylum system reached a breaking point. Arrivals have since slowed, but the challenge is far from over. This report examines Swedish policymakers’ efforts to manage future flows and support integration of newcomers through changes to housing, employment, education, and health services.

Articles
June 7, 2017

Refugees and Asylees in the United States

The United States has historically led the world on refugee resettlement, and today remains the top country, having resettled approximately 85,000 refugees in fiscal 2016. It also granted asylum status to more than 26,000 individuals in FY 2015. This article examines characteristics of U.S. refugee and asylee populations, including top countries of origin, states of resettlement, age and gender, and more.

Reports
June 2017

How Are Refugees Faring? Integration at U.S. and State Levels

Approximately 3 million refugees have been admitted to the United States since 1980, with most entering employment quickly and making substantial gains toward integration over time. Yet national averages often mask considerable variation. This report uses a unique methodology to explore how different refugee groups fare across U.S. states and what role state policies may or may not play in shaping these outcomes.

Pages