Where are the most refugees in the world?

Tens of millions of refugees in the world have settled in the United States.

2005/06/2 1 17:09

The United Nations General Assembly designated June 20th as World Refugee Day. According to the statistics of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, there are about170,000 refugees in the world. Among these refugees, the United States is the country receiving and resettling the largest number of refugees in the world. At present, 16 countries are willing to resettle refugees.

Accept 2.5 million in 30 years

Since 1975, the United States has provided resettlement opportunities for 2.5 million refugees. Thomas green Field, the State Council's Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and Immigration Affairs, said that although the refugee population has remained stable for many years, the origin of nationality of refugees has changed. "In the past, most of the refugees we received came from two parts of the world, either the former Soviet Union or Southeast Asia. Everything has changed today. We are active all over the world. Last year, more than half of the refugees who settled in the United States came from Africa. In 2004, the US government resettled 52,000 people from 65 countries. In addition, the United States accepts 20,000 Cubans and Haitians to settle in the United States every year, and also accepts 20,000 to 40,000 people from all over the world seeking political asylum.

Open the door but prevent injury.

Thomas green Field said that the U.S. government expects the number of refugees in 2005 to be roughly the same as in previous years. The only decline in the number of refugees and asylum seekers who came to settle in the United States was on September 5438+0, 2006, one year after the terrorist attacks in new york and Washington. Only 22,000 refugees were allowed to enter the United States in 2002.

Cady, director of the Office of Refugees, Asylum and International Action of the US Citizenship and Immigration Service, said that after 9- 1 1, the challenge they faced was to prevent people from hurting the United States on the one hand and to open their doors to refugees and asylum seekers on the other. He said, "Of course, we are more cautious to ensure that people entering the United States will not threaten our country. Therefore, we have strengthened the work of checking criminal records and asking personal information to ensure that the refugees who landed in the United States are real refugees. 」

cultural education

In addition to detailed security review, refugees who have settled in the United States must also attend cultural briefings. These courses are held in refugee centers and are generally taught in the mother tongue of refugees. The contents of the cultural introduction include the basic knowledge of air travel, how to use modern electrical appliances, and the culture and living habits of the American community where refugees will be resettled.

Ghedini, a senior official of the Public Relations Department of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, said that many Americans may think that moving to the United States is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but for refugees, it is actually a very difficult choice. "For refugees, the decision to move to the United States means that they may never be able to go home again. 」

The happy life of American refugees

Ghedini said that if refugees can't return home and neighboring countries are unwilling to provide political asylum, then moving to a third country is their only option. She said that once refugees settle in American communities, they often live well. "Many refugees have never enjoyed the political, educational or social opportunities offered by the United States before. Therefore, after coming to the United States, they became the most patriotic people in the new generation of America. They are a group of people who work extremely hard to build a new home and are willing to give back to society. 」

This community has taken on a new look.

Refugees are placed in towns all over the United States, such as St. Paul, Minnesota and Topeka, Kansas. Ronald Munya is one of the two directors of the community resettlement department of the US Department of Health and Human Services. He said that in recent years, refugees and asylum seekers have changed the face of the Washington area.

Munya: "For example, the corridor on U Street is now called Little Ethiopia. There have been 10 Ethiopian restaurants, and these areas used to be very shabby. If you cross the street to Arlington, Virginia, you will find that there are many Southeast Asians living there, which is the case all over the United States. 」

From refugees to permanent residents to citizens

Refugees who settle in the United States will get work permits, allowing them to work in the United States immediately. Munya said that work permits can help refugees maintain their livelihood and that of their families, and reduce their need for public assistance. You can apply for permanent residency after one year of refugee status, and you can apply for American citizenship after five years of permanent residency.