General
Immigration in the United States is determined by federal law and is a highly regulated and tightly controlled system designed to serve the national interest.
When a person is granted refugee status by the U.S., a voluntary agency (also known as a VOLAG) agrees to provide services to the refugee. Oregon Refugee Program contracts with four VOLAGs. Nationally, the VOLAGS contract with the Department of State for such resettlement assistance as finding housing for the family, helping the children enroll in schools, helping refugees obtain Social Security cards, etc.
Locally, VOLAGs have access to assistance from numerous churches and synagogues and are able to provide wide, community-based resettlement assistance to new arrivals. Because they provide direct services, each VOLAG is a valuable resource.
VOLAG efforts are funded by federal Refugee Resettlement funds from the Office of Refugee Resettlement, US-DHHS http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/orr/index.htm
Oregon Refugee Program is located within the Office of Self Sufficiency Programs in Oregon's Department of Human Services. The program is primarily concerned with preparing refugees for self-sufficiency during first 8 months after their arrival.
Information about refugee eligibility for TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) http://dhsmanuals.hr.state.or.us/EligManual/05RF-B.htm
Marie Deatherage
History of Immigration Law in the U.S.
Highlighted Resource
Immigration Policy in the United States A Congressional Budget Office Paper February 2006 Good historical summary and ...
Findings
An independent, non-partisan, non-profit research organization founded in 1985. It is the nation's only think tank devoted exclusively to research and...
Resources
Where to start
Of all the People & Organizations involved with Immigrants - refugees, who knows most? What are the best contacts for people just starting out on this topic?
People & Organizations
Here are all the People & Organizations working on Immigrants - refugees:
click here to add your organization (don't forget to indicate that they focus on Immigrants - refugees)
Supporting Foundations and Affinity Groups
click here to add your foundation or affinity group (don't forget to indicate that they focus on Immigrants - refugees)
Other
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