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NATIONAL ASYLEE INFORMATION AND REFERRAL LINE
The Need
Asylees confront many systemic and bureaucratic barriers to resettlement and
integration. They need assistance in navigating the labyrinth of public and private
resources available to help them achieve early self-sufficiency and full integration into
their new communities.
Overview
Each year, approximately 20,000 people from over 150 nations are granted asylum in
the United States. Asylees have suffered persecution in their country of origin, forced
migration, detention in the United States, and the uncertainty of the asylum
adjudication process. Many need well-coordinated and prompt social services to ease
their transition, including English classes, job placement, cash assistance, and health
care.
Federal regulations specify that refugees and asylees are eligible for the same
benefits and services. (People apply for refugee status before they arrive in the U.S.,
while people apply for asylee status after arrival in the U.S.) While all newly arriving
refugees are sponsored by resettlement agencies, asylees are not. As such, asylees
are at a distinct disadvantage in finding the public and private resources to help
smooth their adjustment and facilitate their early self-sufficiency in the United States.
CLINIC's Response
CLINIC's National Asylee Information & Referral Line, funded by the federal Office of
Refugee Resettlement (ORR), provides a single, centralized source of accurate
information about service eligibility and programs across the country. The toll-free
number is listed in all asylum grant letters issued by the U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services Asylum Office and is posted in immigration courts.
The toll-free phone number refers asylees to more than 500 local providers of
resettlement services such as English language classes, employment training and
placement assistance, cash assistance, and health care. Speaking 18 languages, the
phone line’s counselors offer asylees access to the resources that they need to
become integrated within the community.
In 2005, 3,906 asylees from 71 nations took advantage of the line, receiving nearly
9,500 referrals. Colombians, Haitians, Venezuelans, Cameroonians, Ethiopians, and
Togolese accounted for the largest amount of calls. Florida, California, New York,
and Maryland were the locations with the most referrals. The line has served over
20,000 asylees since its inception in 2001.
To assist service providers working with asylees, CLINIC created an informational
pamphlet entitled Asylee Eligibility for Resettlement Assistance: A Short Guide and
distributed over 1,000 copies. The guide contains crucial and timely information about
the benefits and services for which asylees are eligible, including Employment
Authorization Documents, Social Security cards, I-94s, adjustment of status, travel
authorization, petitioning for immediate relatives, and federal student financial aid. It is
available as a free resource on the CLINIC website.
The Need
Asylees confront many systemic and bureaucratic barriers to resettlement and
integration. They need assistance in navigating the labyrinth of public and private
resources available to help them achieve early self-sufficiency and full integration into
their new communities.
Overview
Each year, approximately 20,000 people from over 150 nations are granted asylum in
the United States. Asylees have suffered persecution in their country of origin, forced
migration, detention in the United States, and the uncertainty of the asylum
adjudication process. Many need well-coordinated and prompt social services to ease
their transition, including English classes, job placement, cash assistance, and health
care.
Federal regulations specify that refugees and asylees are eligible for the same
benefits and services. (People apply for refugee status before they arrive in the U.S.,
while people apply for asylee status after arrival in the U.S.) While all newly arriving
refugees are sponsored by resettlement agencies, asylees are not. As such, asylees
are at a distinct disadvantage in finding the public and private resources to help
smooth their adjustment and facilitate their early self-sufficiency in the United States.
CLINIC's Response
CLINIC's National Asylee Information & Referral Line, funded by the federal Office of
Refugee Resettlement (ORR), provides a single, centralized source of accurate
information about service eligibility and programs across the country. The toll-free
number is listed in all asylum grant letters issued by the U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services Asylum Office and is posted in immigration courts.
The toll-free phone number refers asylees to more than 500 local providers of
resettlement services such as English language classes, employment training and
placement assistance, cash assistance, and health care. Speaking 18 languages, the
phone line’s counselors offer asylees access to the resources that they need to
become integrated within the community.
In 2005, 3,906 asylees from 71 nations took advantage of the line, receiving nearly
9,500 referrals. Colombians, Haitians, Venezuelans, Cameroonians, Ethiopians, and
Togolese accounted for the largest amount of calls. Florida, California, New York,
and Maryland were the locations with the most referrals. The line has served over
20,000 asylees since its inception in 2001.
To assist service providers working with asylees, CLINIC created an informational
pamphlet entitled Asylee Eligibility for Resettlement Assistance: A Short Guide and
distributed over 1,000 copies. The guide contains crucial and timely information about
the benefits and services for which asylees are eligible, including Employment
Authorization Documents, Social Security cards, I-94s, adjustment of status, travel
authorization, petitioning for immediate relatives, and federal student financial aid. It is
available as a free resource on the CLINIC website.
415 Michigan Ave., NE
Suite 150
Washington, DC 20017
202.635.2556
202.635.2649 fax
media inquiries:
e-mail me
(202) 635-5810
Suite 150
Washington, DC 20017
202.635.2556
202.635.2649 fax
media inquiries:
e-mail me
(202) 635-5810
Case Study
A Colombian family granted asylum called
the referral line in desperate need of assistance.
The husband had been injured in an accident and
was unable to work. The wife was under a lot of
stress because she was having trouble finding
employment to support her husband and three
children.
After talking to her and determining her needs, the
counselor referred her to a local Catholic Charities
refugee services agency. Three months later,
family members were back on their feet. They
received health screenings and clothing
assistance, the wife was placed in a job, and two
of the children were working in a summer youth
employment program.
A Colombian family granted asylum called
the referral line in desperate need of assistance.
The husband had been injured in an accident and
was unable to work. The wife was under a lot of
stress because she was having trouble finding
employment to support her husband and three
children.
After talking to her and determining her needs, the
counselor referred her to a local Catholic Charities
refugee services agency. Three months later,
family members were back on their feet. They
received health screenings and clothing
assistance, the wife was placed in a job, and two
of the children were working in a summer youth
employment program.
© Laura Sikes
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