HOME

Migration Trends

Support/ NGO’s

Real Estate Information

Current Challenges

Research Resources

Geography Home Page 

Political Science Home Page

 

Refugee Migration Trends

National Migration Trends

Washington State Migration Trends

King County Admittance Amounts and Countries of Origin

National Migration Trends

The amount of refugees that has been admitted to the US within the last 9 years (FY 1993- 2001) has varied quite a bit. Some reasons for this include: various humanitarian crises around the world, fall of the USSR, and various governmental legislation that was passed.

·        Admittance requirements: Must fulfill definition of a refugee as defined in the Refugee Act of 1980 and be a special humanitarian concern to the US, not already be resettled in another country, and be admissible under general US laws. Priority is given to refugees who currently have relatives residing in the US, people who are refugees because of association with US, and any people that are tied to US because of former education or jobs with the government. The US government must also admit a share of refugees as determined by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees- UNHCR (in need of resettlement in a 3rd country.) The UNHCR determines a number that each member country must admit each year in order to deal with different crises that are happening around the world.

·       The ceiling for the number of refugees to be admitted each year is determined by the President after consultation between the Executive Branch and the Congress. The President has authority to respond beyond the ceiling in cases of refugee emergencies.

·        For FY 1998 the refugee ceiling was set at 83,000. During FY 1998, 76,372 refugees and 374 Amerasians were admitted to the U.S. In addition, 13,348 Cuban and 534 Haitian entrants and humanitarian parolees were admitted to the U.S. (Office of Refugee Resettlement- ORR REPORT TO US CONGRESS 1998.) Cuban and Haitian refugees are set at a different category than general refugees because of special relationships that the US has with each of these countries.

·       A major challenge for refugees is gaining admittance to the US. For example, some refugees from Kenya have been waiting since 1999 to even have interviews. Turnaround time for processing of security checks alone is down to 45- 85 days. Many people can experience extra persecution for attempting to leave their country. Frequently, those attempting to be accepted as refugees (or immigrants) to the US wait for years in refugee camps. These camps are typically administered by various NGO’s such as the UNHCR and the Red Cross. The number of refugees that is being admitted from Africa should increase because of the new processing posts that are being set up around the continent. 14 new posts were added last year, but there is a concern for the personal safety for individuals that are interviewing potential refugees.

Sources:

·        US participation in an international refugee program through UNHCR: Kosovo

·        UNHCR website

·        US Committee for Refugees (NGO) statistics and admittance amounts

·        US Congress Reports, Information, and Statistics- Refugees

·        Census 2000: Refugee Facts and Statistics

·        US Refugee Admittance requirements

·        US refugee admittance rates v. applications

·        ORR report to Congress 1998

·        ORR report to Congress 2002

·        ORR Administration for Adults and Children Fact Sheet

·        Refugee Act of 1980

·        Asylees becoming refugees: changes and requirements

·        Importance Legislation regarding refugees

·        Refugee case law and decisions

·        “How to apply for US refugee status”

<-- RETURN TO TOP

Washington State Migration Trends

 

Washington is the 4th largest destination state for refugees coming to the US. People seek it out because of its close proximity to their home countries in Southeast Asia.

  • The 1990 Census counted 71,189 foreign-born residents living in Seattle. This represented a 50% increase over 1980, an increase greater than the 42% increase of foreign-born arrivals on a nationwide basis.
  • Data from the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement reports that 16,149 refugees resettled in King County from 27 countries between 1992 and 1997.
  • The Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) reports that 18,883 immigrants, or which 5,083 were refugees, arrived in Washington in 1996. The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) reported that 10,249 immigrants entered the U.S. in 1996 listing the greater Seattle area as their intended destination.
  • The Washington State Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance estimates that some 40,000 refugees now live in Seattle. This number will clearly increase as well as ethnic variety based on changes and situations abroad.

 

Sources:

 

<-- RETURN TO TOP

King County Admittance Amounts and Countries of Origin

 

King County is the number one destination county for people coming to Washington state. The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) reported that 10,249 immigrants entered the U.S. in 1996 listing the greater Seattle area as their intended destination The numbers since 1998 have not changed dramatically, and people continue to come from origin countries in Asia. The largest increasing origin region is Africa and Asian refugee trends are steady.

Sources:

·         Census 2000: Admittance rates by ethnicity

·         FAIR (Federation for American Immigration Reform- NGO) US fact sheet by county

·        City of Seattle Housing Affordability Report 2000

<-- RETURN TO TOP

 BACK TO TOP

 Last Updated:
06/03/2004

Contact the researcher at:klogan@u.washington.edu