statistics on refugees

Refugees live in camps for an average of 17 years.

Only ½ of 1% of the total refugee population will be resettled in a new country.

80% of the world’s refugees are women and children.

Since 1975, over 133,000 refugees have resettled in the Chicago area. Last year, Chicago resettled 2,412 refugees, and this year 2,800 refugees are expected.

Did you know? Albert Einstein, Madeline Albright, The Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Han, Mark Chagall, Nadia Comaneci and Peter Drucker are all former refugees.

questions answered on refugees

Who are refugees?
They are men, women and children who have fled their country because of a fear of persecution. The definition of a refugee comes from the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.

What is an asylum seeker?
According to the U.S. Committee for Refugees, an asylum seeker is someone who claims to be a refugee. Often, asylum seekers must undergo a legal procedure in which the host country decides if they qualify for refugee status. International law recognizes the right to seek asylum, but does not oblige states to provide it.

What is the difference between a refugee and an immigrant?
Choice. Refugees are forced to leave their homeland whereas immigrants voluntarily leave their country of origin to reside in a new country.

How many refugees are there in the world?
According to the World Refugee Survey 2008, there are approximately 14 million refugees and asylum seekers in the world. Over two thirds of the world’s refugees are in the Middle East and Africa. Large refugee populations today include Iraqis, Bhutanese, and Burmese.

What are the accepted solutions to the plight of refugees?
Most refugees return to their native countries when conditions permit, often known as “voluntary repatriation.” When conditions in countries of origin remain unstable or there is a danger of persecution upon repatriation, some refugees are able to stay in the country of first asylum. Unfortunately, many host countries are unable to accept refugees permanently. For many refugees, resettlement in a third country, such as the U.S., is the best and only alternative

How many refugees does the U.S. accept for resettlement?
Each year, the President, in consultation with Congress, determines the number of refugees to be admitted into the U.S. Unfortunately, the government’s commitment to refugee resettlement has been steadily eroded. While the world’s refugee population has remained around 14 million throughout the 1990’s and 2000’s, the U.S.’s admissions levels have steadily declined from a high of 142,000 in fiscal year 1993 to 80,000 for fiscal year 2008. In addition, the number of admitted refugees actually admitted for resettlement has consistently failed to meet the authorized levels. Between 1991 and 2008, more than 200,000 slots were left unfilled.

How does a refugee qualify for resettlement in the U.S.?
To qualify for refugee resettlement in the U.S., a person must come from a country or belong to a group designated by the Department of State. Individuals must meet the definition of a refugee by proving they have a well-founded fear of persecution. Specially trained officers from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services and Homeland Security conduct interviews all over the world to identify individuals eligible for permanent resettlement in the U.S. Eligible refugees then undergo thorough medical and security screenings before arriving in the U.S.

What happens to refugees once they arrive in the U.S.?
Many refugees come to the U.S. without any possessions and without knowing anyone. Other refugees come here to be reunited with family. All refugees receive limited assistance from the U.S. government and non-profit organizations.

How long do refugees remain in the U.S.?
Refugees are entitled to refugee status for one year after arrival. After one year, refugees are eligible to become legal permanent residents. Five years after the date of their arrival in the U.S., refugees may apply for their American citizenship.