US State Department Fact Sheet on refugee admissions program is useful

If you are trying to learn more about how the US Refugee Admissions Program works, this is a link you should keep handy.

US Refugee Admissions Program FAQs.

I’ve seen it before, but it is worth mentioning again.

It came to my attention this time when I was looking for more information on whether the US State Department was bending the rules for contractors who can’t find housing for refugees because I saw that the International Rescue Committee was using Airbnb for a stop gap measure.

Readers may remember that the IRC got in a pickle here in September when refugees were not being adequately housed according to a contractual agreement with the DOS.

This is the information at the IRC website that got my attention just now (I didn’t know that the DOS was allowing such “temporary” housing arrangements).

Open your home to refugees

You can be beacon of hope to refugees in temporary need of shelter by working with IRC partner Airbnb. In Denver, Airbnb host Susan Bailey has already hosted six refugees and families from Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and the Republic of Congo. Together they shared meals and stories about their cultures, and helped foster a richer, global community.

“Our part in the process, providing short-term housing while long-term housing is solidified for a refugee or refugee family, is actually quite easy,” Bailey said. “Above all, with so much uncertainty in their lives, we want to provide these new arrivals with a safe haven of comfort and warmth.”

Does someone from the IRC check out the Airbnb housing?

Remember those stories about hidden camera’s in Airbnb bedrooms?

Anyway, the important thing here is the fact sheet at the US State Department. (I did not find any detailed information at the Dept. of State about housing rules, although I know they have them.) There is a bit more detail at Reception and Placement.

When viewing the fact sheet, I caution you that when they answer the question about cost of the program they refer only to the US State Department’s cost, not the larger costs at Health and Human Services (ORR) or Homeland Security and they never tell you about the state and local costs including state social services, educating the kids, interpreters, criminal justice system etc., etc.

See all of my posts on the International Rescue Committee by clicking here. They are the financially largest of the nine contractors:

Click here to read the full article on its original website.