REFUGEE 101 A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT
REFUGEE 101 A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT Mary Flynn Lutheran Social Services Refugee Resettlement Services
Refugee 101 • • What are refugees? Who are refugees? Why are they coming to Wisconsin? How can I work with refugees? I don’t speak the language. I don’t know the culture. They may not understand. Refugees need so much, how will it get done?
What are refugees? Refugees are distinctly different from asylees and immigrants. The differences can be generalized into a 1 -2 -3 summary: 1. 2. 3. 4. Immigrants voluntarily leave their homeland resettle in another country. Asylees leave their homeland request protection and are granted safe haven in a 2 nd country. Refugees are driven from their homeland while fleeing displacement, violence or war, then seek safety in a 2 nd country and are eventually resettled in a 3 rd country. SIV is a Special Immigrant who arrives with a visa; is also eligible for all services same as refugees. IMPORTANT! Refugees and SIVs arrive with permanent legal status, are authorized and expected to work, and are eligible for all available benefits and services where they live. Voting privileges are earned after passing citizenship tests.
Refugee resettlement is a humanitarian effort between the Government of the United States and the United Nations The journey to become a refugee is not easy. 85, 000 refugees are expected in 2016. 100, 000 are expected in 2017. Compare to 1979 when 200, 000 were admitted. LSS will welcome approximately 610 in 2017 in the Milwaukee and Madison areas. • Refugees don’t always have a choice as to where they are resettled. The choices are to go when able or stay with an uncertain, dangerous future. • Resettlement agencies’ jobs start at the airport when refugees arrive. Agencies do not “go out and find” refugees. • •
Why are refugees coming to Wisconsin? • Refugees are allocated to agencies through a process at the Department of State and in partnership with 9 national voluntary agencies. LSS is an affiliate of one of the national agencies—Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service. • The greater Milwaukee area has been welcoming refugees since 1974. LSS opened an office in Madison in 2009. • Churches throughout Wisconsin extended welcoming arms, open doors, and support to the first groups of Hmong in the 1970 s. • Churches and communities have continued to welcome refugees since that time. Refugee populations have changed over time--but the recognition of need to provide safety continues.
Why do refugees stay or move to Wisconsin? • Family or friends arrived here initially. People want and need to be close to people who share language, values, norms, support. • Family or friends did a “secondary migration” here. • Diverse community. • Good schools for their children. • Jobs!
The goal of resettlement is Self-sufficiency Refugees are expected to become selfsufficient as soon as possible and not remain dependent on agencies or community.
Once refugees arrive, the opportunity and safety of the US begins to heal the hearts and minds of those we work with.
How can I work with refugees, I don’t know the culture? Every refugee comes with hopes and dreams. Seeing the US through their eyes can be a powerful experience. People cannot change quickly and you cannot teach quickly, but you can help them by gently helping them navigate the culture they are living in.
Things to consider in your work with refugees People are people and respond to the same consideration and kindness. Refugees may come with unusual life circumstances or cultural behaviors, but still must learn to live in their new homeland. “Take the ‘refugee’ out. ” How would you treat anyone else?
Things to consider… When first meeting refugees in your service setting… • Shaking hands is a skill that most refugees need to develop comfort with. Instead, use some personal distance when greeting. • Refugees, even if fluent in English, do best with simple sentences and brief greetings. Americans tend to talk a lot.
Things to consider… • For most Burmese cultures, direct eye contact is uncomfortable. This can be a sign of respect. • In speaking with people who speak one of the Burmese languages, please remember that the language has softer sounds at ends of words with very few consonants. • Do you have “American ears”? We must learn to listen carefully, too.
Things to consider… • Touching a person’s head is considered rude and very disrespectful. (Hello cute little kid!) • Touching a person’s body can be considered disrespectful, inappropriate, and threatening. Explain your touch before proceeding. • Hugs, for the most part, are off the menu. Exception: clients may initiate hugs in a show of gratitude, respect, or sheer relief.
Things to consider… • For the vast majority of cultures, pointing is considered rude, even controlling. Using hand or arm gestures or use a head nod in the direction instead. • What is welcoming to an American, can be quite intimidating and threatening to others. For example, an LSS airport welcome story.
Things to consider… For Muslim women and most women wearing a head covering, a female worker is required for any procedure involving removal of any clothing. A male worker may take blood pressure outside of clothing. Blood draws, stethoscope use requires a female.
Things to consider… • It is respectful to show respect to the male escorting a female to an appointment. • It is recommended that you ask questions directly to the female. If the questions are intimate, try to establish privacy with the female to solicit true and accurate information. • Suggestion: state, rather than ask, if you can speak to the female in private. “I need to ask some female questions. I will take you to a place for you to wait. I will bring you back as soon as possible. ”
How can I work with refugees, I don’t know the language? • Refugees often know more than one language. • Adequate interpretation is a Civil Right. Any medical provider accepting federal or state money must provide linguistically appropriate language upon request when scheduling an appointment and during an appointment. • Be mindful of various languages—Burmese is not always Burmese. Somali is not always Somali. Arabic is not always Arabic.
Things to consider… • Begin your session by assuring the patient of confidentiality. • Remind the interpreter of the need for strict confidentiality. • Watch carefully for non-verbal cues of the patient while interacting with an interpreter. • Interpreters should be your “voice”. Any additional conversation with the patient should be to explain cultural context only. Professional interpreters should request your permission and explain to you why before supplementing your “voice”.
Things to consider… Interpreters should maintain professional boundaries throughout their interaction. Interpreters exchanging phone numbers with patients may be a red flag.
Things to consider… • Refugees may say “yes” even if they mean “no” so as not appear uncooperative or disrespectful. • Remember the intelligence, tenacity, and motivation of refugees. Please remember to “take the ‘refugee’ out. ” • Ask the refugee to repeat back to you to assure understanding. • Acknowledge your American ears and ask for clarification if you are not sure you understand.
Where refugees continue to get help • Refugees know who their resettlement agency is and where it is located. • Refugees may use their time with you to request other services or to report needs. Please direct them to go to their resettlement agency.
All resettlement agencies provide: • Intensive welcome, community integration, and resource connections for the 30 -90 day refugee resettlement period. • Cultural Orientation, enrollment in ESL classes. • Employment programs to promote earliest selfsufficiency. • Appointments for dedicated time to help. • Case Management for the first year. Longer, if needed, for special or complex cases. • On-going information and referral for up to 5 years from arrival in the US. • Some offer Walk-In hours with no appointment needed. • Emergency assistance.
Refugees respect and appreciate you! • Refugees will respond to your boundaries and the extra steps you take in paying attention. • Bringing gifts or sweets is common as a sign of hospitality and gratitude for all cultures. Warning! Prepare yourself for legendary hospitality. • Refugees have deep respect for medical providers and those in perceived authority. • Refugee are grateful for the US medical system and its emphasis on treating everyone.
Refugee Resettlement Staff appreciate you, too! • Newly arrived cases require health screenings to help them get a healthy start and get on the path to citizenship. Resettlement agencies are responsible for coordination for new arrivals. • Resettlement staff can be a resource for understanding, guidance, cultural orientation. • Resettlement staff are available for Q&A sessions, in-services, discussion tailored to your specific needs.
Wisconsin Resettlement Agencies International Institute of Wisconsin Pan-African Community Association Catholic Charities World Relief Fox Valley Lutheran Social Services of WI and Upper MI
Thank you! Mary Flynn, Program Manager Refugee Resettlement mary. flynn@lsswis. org 414. 325. 3117 office 414. 325. 3124 fax
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