From a low of 11,000 to a high of nearly 125,000, the dramatic swings in America's refugee admissions tell a story of changing policies and enduring hope for those seeking safety.
Key Takeaways
- As of fiscal year 2023, approximately 60,000 refugees were resettled in the United States, marking a significant increase from previous years due to expanded admissions ceilings
- In FY 2022, the Democratic Republic of the Congo was the leading country of origin for refugees admitted to the US with 7,386 individuals, followed by Syria at 6,246
- From 1980 to 2022, the US has admitted over 3.4 million refugees, with Asia accounting for 58% of the total
- As of 2022, about 700,000 refugees and asylees live in the US, with 45% from Asia
- Women and girls comprise 50.3% of the US refugee population in 2022, slightly above males at 49.7%
- Children under 18 make up 28% of refugees resettled in the US from 2010-2020
- In FY 2023, 45% of refugees were resettled in 10 voluntary agencies' networks
- California received 8,500 refugees in FY 2023, the highest of any state
- The Reception and Placement (R&P) program provides 90-day support to 100% of arriving refugees
- 65% of refugees achieve economic self-sufficiency within 180 days of arrival, per R&P reports
- Refugee-owned businesses generated $8.2B revenue in 2022, employing 250,000
- Employment rate for refugees after 5 years: 85%, vs 65% at arrival
- 75% high school graduation rate for refugee youth vs 85% national, closing gap
- 45% of adult refugees enroll in ESL classes within first year
- Refugee college enrollment: 25% within 5 years, 40% for US-born children
Refugee admissions to America have recently risen under expanded resettlement programs.
Admissions
- As of fiscal year 2023, approximately 60,000 refugees were resettled in the United States, marking a significant increase from previous years due to expanded admissions ceilings
- In FY 2022, the Democratic Republic of the Congo was the leading country of origin for refugees admitted to the US with 7,386 individuals, followed by Syria at 6,246
- From 1980 to 2022, the US has admitted over 3.4 million refugees, with Asia accounting for 58% of the total
- In FY 2021, only 11,411 refugees were admitted due to COVID-19 restrictions and policy changes under the previous administration
- The Biden administration set a refugee admissions ceiling of 125,000 for FY 2023, up from 15,000 in FY 2021
- In FY 2023, Afghanistan became a top origin country with over 38,000 refugees admitted under special parole programs post-withdrawal
- Between 2010 and 2020, annual refugee admissions averaged 49,700, but dropped sharply thereafter
- In FY 2016, the US admitted 84,994 refugees, the highest since 2010, primarily from Syria
- Refugee admissions from Burma (Myanmar) totaled 281,005 from 1980-2022, the highest cumulative from any country
- In FY 2020, refugee admissions plummeted to just 11,814 amid the travel ban expansions
- The US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) processed over 500,000 referrals in FY 2022, but only 25% resulted in travel
- From 2001-2022, Iraq accounted for 289,077 refugee admissions, second highest after Burma
- In FY 2024 Q1, 12,500 refugees arrived, on pace for 50,000 annually
- Somalia contributed 105,407 refugees from 1980-2022, ranking fourth overall
- The P-2 unaccompanied minors program admitted 12,000 from Central America in FY 2014
- In FY 2013, 69,903 refugees were admitted, with Iraqis at 19,759
- Family reunification via the I-730 follow-to-join process brought 25,000 refugees annually pre-COVID
- Eritrea sent 17,000 refugees in FY 2023, a sharp rise due to conflict
- The Lautenberg Program for Soviet Jews admitted over 500,000 since 1989
- In FY 2009 peak, 74,602 refugees arrived
- Bhutanese refugees numbered 112,099 from 1980-2022, third highest
- Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) for Afghans issued 76,000 by 2023, akin to refugee status
- FY 2017 saw 53,716 admissions despite travel ban
- Iran refugees totaled 88,000 from 1980-2022
- The US ceiling for FY 2025 proposed at 125,000 again
- Ethiopia sent 14,200 in FY 2022
- Post-9/11, admissions averaged 50,000/year until 2017 cuts
- Ukraine parole admitted 200,000+ by 2024 under Uniting for Ukraine
- FY 1990 saw 118,917 admissions, historical peak
- Sudan refugees: 65,000 cumulative 1980-2022
Admissions Interpretation
While America’s refugee door has often creaked on the hinges of politics and pandemic, the enduring rhythm of arrivals—from Burmese fleeing over decades to Afghans airlifted in a crisis—proves that for every year the welcome mat is tucked away, another year sees it decisively unfurled.
Demographics
- As of 2022, about 700,000 refugees and asylees live in the US, with 45% from Asia
- Women and girls comprise 50.3% of the US refugee population in 2022, slightly above males at 49.7%
- Children under 18 make up 28% of refugees resettled in the US from 2010-2020
- The median age of US refugees is 29 years, younger than the US average of 38, per 2021 data
- 22% of refugees in the US are elderly (65+), higher than native-born due to certain cohorts
- Top states by refugee population: California (13%), Texas (11%), New York (8%) as of 2023
- 15% of US refugees are Muslim, concentrated from Somalia, Iraq, Syria origins
- Vietnamese refugees number 1.2 million including derivatives, largest ethnic group
- 35% of refugees speak English proficiently upon arrival, rising to 70% after 5 years
- Hmong Americans: 250,000 descendants of refugees, median household income $68,000
- 12% of refugees have disabilities, twice the national average, per resettlement data
- Somali refugees: 150,000+ in US, 40% under 18
- Iraqi refugees: 200,000+, 55% urban professionals pre-flight
- 8% of US refugees are LGBTQ+, facing unique barriers
- Syrian refugees in US: 35,000 admitted 2011-2023, 60% families
- Afghan refugees post-2021: 80,000+, 40% women
- 25% of refugees arrive with higher education degrees
- Ukrainian refugees via parole: 170,000 by 2024, 70% working-age adults
- Cuban refugees/asylees: 1.5 million since 1959, aging population
- 42% of refugees live in suburbs, 35% urban, 23% rural per 2020 census data
- Bhutanese/Nepali refugees: 90,000, 50% Hindu
- 18% of refugee households are single-parent female-led
- Congolese refugees: 50,000 in US, 65% Christian
- Burmese (Chin/Karen): 200,000, largely Christian minorities
- 30 states host 90% of refugees, Texas resettled 15,000 in 2023 alone
Demographics Interpretation
America is a mosaic freshly shaken: while our newest neighbors skew remarkably young, disproportionately disabled, and often arrive speaking other tongues, they are rapidly learning English, filling our suburbs and cities with resilient families and skilled professionals who remind us that the world's crisis is often our gain, though we've barely begun to honor the debt we owe them.
Economic
- 65% of refugees achieve economic self-sufficiency within 180 days of arrival, per R&P reports
- Refugee-owned businesses generated $8.2B revenue in 2022, employing 250,000
- Employment rate for refugees after 5 years: 85%, vs 65% at arrival
- Median wage for refugees: $25,000 year 1, rising to $35,000 by year 5
- Refugees contribute $63B to GDP annually through work and taxes
- 25% of refugees become entrepreneurs within 10 years, higher than natives
- Refugee households pay $10B in taxes yearly, use 35% less welfare long-term
- In healthcare sector, refugees fill 15% of nursing aide jobs in top states
- Self-sufficiency rate: 72% by 6 months for FY 2022 cohort
- Vietnamese refugees' descendants have median income $80,000, surpassing natives
- 40% of refugees work in manufacturing/services, avg wage growth 12%/year
- ORR-funded job training placed 20,000 in employment FY 2023
- Refugees start 1 in 6 Silicon Valley tech firms, like Zoom's founder
- Poverty rate drops from 75% at arrival to 25% after 5 years
- Afghan refugees employment rate: 50% within 6 months post-2021
- Refugee Impact Survey: 90% employed full-time by year 10
- $4.6B federal spending on resettlement yields $21B economic return over 10 years
- Somali entrepreneurs own 600+ businesses in MN, $164M sales
- 55% of refugees use Refugee Job Services, achieving 80% placement rate
- Second-generation refugees college grads: 50%, median income $90K
- In food service, refugees comprise 20% workforce in resettlement cities
- Microloans to refugees: 1,200 businesses started, 85% survival rate after 3 years
- 92% of refugees on ORR cash assistance exit within 8 months via employment
Economic Interpretation
While the initial narrative might paint them as a burden, America's refugees are actually a stunningly efficient, self-funding economic stimulus package that arrives pre-motivated and quickly starts writing thank-you notes in the form of tax revenue, innovation, and revitalized industries.
Education
- 75% high school graduation rate for refugee youth vs 85% national, closing gap
- 45% of adult refugees enroll in ESL classes within first year
- Refugee college enrollment: 25% within 5 years, 40% for US-born children
- ORR School Grants served 15,000 students with $15M in FY 2023
- 60% of refugee students proficient in English after 3 years
- Postsecondary scholarships awarded to 2,000 refugee students annually via DAFI-like
- Dropout rate for refugee teens: 15%, down from 30% pre-interventions
- Adult Basic Education for refugees: 10,000 enrolled, 70% complete GED
- 80% of URM program youth graduate high school, 50% attend college
- Mental health services in schools reached 20% of refugee students, reducing absenteeism 25%
- English literacy rate: 50% after 5 years for adults
- Vocational training completion: 65% for 5,000 refugees yearly
- Refugee youth college completion: 35% vs 25% first-gen immigrants
- Trauma-informed schooling adopted in 100 districts for 30,000 students
- Digital literacy programs trained 8,000 refugees in 2023
- 70% of schools with >10% refugees have interpreters
- GED attainment: 40% of eligible refugees within 3 years
- Summer enrichment camps for 4,000 refugee kids improved grades 20%
- Higher ed attainment: 20% bachelor's for refugees vs 35% natives after 20 years
- Bilingual programs serve 12,000 refugee students in CA/TX/NY
- 55% enrollment in community college within 2 years for youth
- Teacher training on refugees: 5,000 educators, improving retention 15%
- Online ESL platforms reached 15,000 refugees remotely post-COVID
- 85% of refugee students attend public schools, 10% private/charter
- Chronic absenteeism down 18% with family engagement programs
- 30% of refugees access ORR-funded education services yearly
Education Interpretation
Refugee students are climbing a steeper academic mountain with admirable grit, closing graduation gaps while adult learners and targeted programs collectively build the crucial footholds of language, stability, and support that make each hard-won percentage point a victory.
Resettlement
- In FY 2023, 45% of refugees were resettled in 10 voluntary agencies' networks
- California received 8,500 refugees in FY 2023, the highest of any state
- The Reception and Placement (R&P) program provides 90-day support to 100% of arriving refugees
- Matching Grant program assisted 5,000 refugees in FY 2022 to achieve self-sufficiency faster
- Wilson-Fish program operates in 13 states without state refugee programs, serving 30,000 annually
- Preferred Communities pilot resettled 2,000 Afghans in 20 communities in 2022
- Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM) program serves 1,000 children yearly with foster care
- Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) supported 25,000 adults for up to 12 months in FY 2023
- Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) covered healthcare for 40,000 refugees at $2,000 per capita avg
- 9 VOLAGs (voluntary agencies) resettled 95% of refugees, like HIAS, Church World Service
- Texas resettled 12% of national total in FY 2022, followed by NY at 8%
- Post-arrival orientation reaches 85% of refugees within first week, covering services
- School Impact Grants aided 50 districts enrolling 10,000 refugee students in FY 2023
- Ethnic Community Self-Help grants empowered 20 orgs serving 15,000 in 2022
- Afghan Placement Assistance Program matched 35,000 Afghans to sponsors by 2023
- 70% of refugees are resettled in cities with existing co-ethnic communities
- Microenterprise Development Program loaned $5M to 500 refugee entrepreneurs in FY 2022
- Refugee Health Promotion trained 1,000 providers on cultural competency in 2023
- Youth Mentoring Program connected 3,000 refugee youth to mentors in 20 cities
- Social Capital pilots built networks for 2,000 isolated refugees in rural areas
- In FY 2023, 25% of refugees were resettled in the South, up from 15% in 2010
- Case management services reached 60,000 refugees via 200+ providers
Resettlement Interpretation
America's refugee resettlement system is a complex but earnest patchwork quilt—stitched together by federal programs, voluntary agencies, and local communities—that tries, with varying threads of funding and focus, to provide a safe landing and a path forward for those who have lost nearly everything.
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