Current Policy Issues

Fact Sheet on Refugee Services

In preparation for World Refugee Day, learn more about the current state of refugees in the United States and the role USCCB/MRS has in refugee resettlement.  (Download a PDF version of the Fact Sheet.)

1. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that there are currently over 12,000,000 refugees in the world.  UNHCR estimates that approximately 800,000 of those refugees are in need of resettlement, as no other durable solution exists for them.  A total of 172,196 people have been identified as in need of resettlement in 2012; unfortunately the UNHCR only has commitments from resettlement countries to receive 80,000 refugees.

2. The U.S. allotment for refugee arrivals in FY 11 was 80,000, with only 56,424 refugees actually resettled in the United States.  Migration and Refugee Services of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (MRS-USCCB) resettled 15,543 refugees.

3. The US allotment for refugee arrivals in FY 12 was reduced to 76,000; only 54,000-56,000 are predicted to actually resettle in the United States.  MRS-USCCB expects to resettle approximately 27% of the total US arrivals.

4. In calendar year 2010 UNHCR indicates the global figure of refugees actually resettled to be 72,911.Of those, 54,077 were resettled to the United States.  It is important to note that while the US receives more refugees than any other country in numbers, other countries resettle more refugees as a per capita percentage to their overall population.

5. MRS-USCCB oversees the resettlement of refugees in more than 100 (arch)dioceses across the nation.  Since 1975, MRS-USCCB has resettled one million refugees, one-third of the total 3 million refugees resettled in the United States since that time.

6. USCCB implements The Parishes Organized to Welcome Refugees (POWR) pro­gram in addition to federal programs, and its impact has been significant. During its first year, POWR:

• recruited 3,500 new volunteers to assist refugees in adjusting to life in the U.S. As a result, thousands of refugee clients made friends, learned English, received pro bono legal counsel and medical services, found work, and achieved social integration.
• raised $1.5 million in cash- and in-kind resources.
• helped to create 81 new community partnerships, which offer assistance to 9,676 refugees.