IN RUINS
Globally, there are over 65.3 million people that have been forcefully displaced from their homeland, and an estimated half of which are from the Middle East. Civil wars, political and social discord, and shelling have forced millions to flee from their homes and resettle. Around 33,972 people a day are forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. Of those displaced, around 21.3 million are registered as refugees. 53% of refugees worldwide come from Somalia, Afghanistan, and Syria; over half of them are under the age of eighteen. Refugees are defined as ‘a person who has fled his or her country of origin because of past persecution or a fear of future persecution based upon race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group,’ as noted by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
LEAVING HOME Most of the refugees come from the Middle East and Africa, where there has consistently been struggles for power. Fleeing refugees often leave out of desperation with little to no plans past survival. Their homeland is no longer a safety net, but rather the reason for their flight. Home now becomes where they escape to, a moment of reprieve. They often set up camp in vacant lots while waiting for approval to be relocated to a camp or resettled elsewhere. The international community has not done much to alleviate the issue, often leaving bordering nations to take on the burden. These bordering nations generally do not have the resources to meet the demanding number of refugees, oftentimes setting up temporary squalors for those seeking asylum. These temporary settlements eventually expand into larger camps to house the ever-growing population of those displaced.
“Out of desperation, some risk their lives to illegally travel by land or sea to Europe; an estimated 2,500 have died thus far.” Given the recent terror attacks in Europe, Europe and North America have been reticent to take in more refugees. Germany has been the most willing, pledging to take in as many as 500,000 Syrian refugees escaping the war. There are approximately 1 million refugees applying for asylum in Europe, however only 300,000 have been approved. The process for resettlement and asylum takes years to process, especially for Syrian refugees who are under intense scrutiny due to fear of terrorism. Out of desperation, some risk their lives to illegally travel by land or sea to Europe; an estimated 2,500 have died thus far. The conditions to escape to Europe illegally is perilous, and often traumatizing for the war-torn refugees. So far, there have been 98,000 refugees resettled in Germany. However migration to Europe has not just been limited to the Middle East, some of those are also from Western Africa, where the people are escaping war, turmoil, desperate poverty, and lack of resources. These migrants often take a much more dangerous route through rough waters to land in Europe, and so far this year, around 2,000 people have died making this trip (officially counted.)
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Over a million refugees have applied for asylum within the EU, however only around 300,000 have been approved for that. The process takes years to complete, especially for Syrian refugees who are under intense scrutiny for fear of terrorism. The world has only taken in about 0.7% of the displaced Syrians applying for asylum elsewhere. Out of desperation, many refugees travel by land/sea to illegally find refuge in European countries. It is estimated that around 2,500 have died so far in their endeavors, the most tragic when a ship of 800 capsized in the Aegean sea.One major group of refugees have been Syrian refugees. Before the start of the war in 2011, Syria had a population of 21.96 million; since the war, its numbers have shrunk to 16.6 million. There are around 4 million registered refugees abroad, with an estimated 1 million more un-registered. Within the country itself, at least half of the population (12.5 million) have been displaced due to standoffs between rebel forces and the Assad regime. Many of Syria’s neighbors have taken on the burden of those fleeing. Turkey alone has accepted within its borders 2.5 million refugees, more than the entirety of Europe combined. Lebanon, whose population is 4.4 million houses 1.1 million Syrian refugees. The top hosting countries of refugees are: Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Pakistan, Ethiopia, and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
YEARNING Millions have escaped from Syria in hopes of returning home, however, as time has proven, that has not been the case. Those that have pursued asylum in neighboring countries had hopes of returning to Syria within months. They have had to make-do in their temporary situations, waiting for the day that they can make a return pilgrimage to Syria. Time has taken its toll, and the prevalent mindset has been that they will not be coming back anytime soon. Dozens of refugee camps were initially established as a temporary solution to the problem and have grown to become permanent establishments until further notice. At its height, several camps reached in 200,000 residents. Despite the conditions and lack of funding, the refugees still have hope for a better future.
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WHERE IS HOME? For centuries, Aleppo was the most populous city for the Syrian region and was the third largest city for the Ottoman Empire, behind Constantinople and Cairo. It is believed to have been inhabited since the 6th Century BCE, but recent excavations show signs of occupation from the 3rd Century BCE. Its significance throughout history has been its location as one of the end of the Silk Road trade route from China. Since the fall of the Ottoman Empire, Aleppo has slowly shrunk its borders, giving up pockets of land to Turkey. The reigning in of its borders might have saved the architecture from decline, however since the start of the Syrian Civil War, it has been the most-affected area and suffered massive destruction. The struggle between rebel groups and the government has led to constant 24/7 bombings of the city, destroying much of the ancient architecture and causing a significant amount of civilian deaths.
Nearly everyone in Syria has been affected by the war, usually knowing someone that has been killed or injured. The shortage of emergency personnel has put the citizens in a precarious situation. Through desperation, those that even have an inkling of medical knowledge started to treat the wounded. Fuel and electricity are not reliable within the wartorn country, basic necessities hard to come by. The dire situation has stranded 2 million residents in Aleppo under the conflict between government forces and the rebels. The fleeing doctors have shown to be detrimental as those who are caught in the middle of the crossfire do not have access to aid. The international community cannot do much to help due to the government’s crackdown on medical supplies and help. They fear that if there are supplies and professionals, they would help both rebels and innocents. The paranoia by the Syrian government has proved to be disastrous for the residents in Aleppo.
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sister, who was only in first grade. At 12am, we foun third brother alive. My mother was a strong woman would provide for us. She mourned my father’s deat three years, but people told her that it’s a long tim mourn. So she stopped wearing black and started we brighter clothes. But then she was killed. When my mother and sister died, my brothers an stayed at my uncle’s house for a month. After that, grandparents asked us to stay with them in Amma I couldn’t bear to stay in Syria. It kept reminding of what I lost—it drove me crazy. My brothers an chose to leave Syria all together. We made the jour to Jordan alone. My aunt helped us get a taxi, wh dropped us off close to the border. We walked to t berm [a no-man’s land between Syrian and Jordan During our journey, we were supporting each other oldest brother, Mousa, 15, and I took care of our you brothers Ahmad, 14, and Abdo, 12. My brothers ar short-tempered ever since our days in Syria; they c handle too much pressure. They’re not easy to deal with, but they’re my broth and I have to take care of them. I usually try to ad them and give them direction on what’s right and w wrong. If they don’t listen, I don’t push them. I on brought pictures and a piece of clothing that belong “This is a bombing that took away many beloved people. I was there; my mother, which still carries her scent. I also brou my little sister’s pajamas that she was wearing befor I saw it happen. I can’t begin to describe what these people meant changed and went to play the day she died. It’s not a place—the berm. It’s a vast desert with so much sa to me. This is a mother who is trying to protect her child, but can’t. and many tents. It looked like half of Syria I didn’t draw a house; I drew safety in a mother’s arms. Next to it, I there. Once we arrived, I went to the guards and them we’re alone. They looked at our papers, then a wrote a little poem about Syria. It reads: ‘A person who lost his gold and immediately let us cross [the border into Jorda There was an officer there who was very kind to u can find it in the gold market, and a person who lost a lover will soon It was Feb. 21. My younger sister, Ghazal, was playing with her friend out on the street, just in front of my forget him, but a person who lost his country, where will he find it?’” aunt’s shop. I was in our house alone. My mother was having coffee at our neighbor’s house and my brothers were out playing with their friends. When the bombing happened, I passed out because a door fell on me. A man pulled me out, and when I woke up, everything had changed. My home was destroyed. I went running to look for my mother, and I found her and my two brothers. My mother started screaming and went looking for my sister. I was told to stay behind. A second bombing killed my mother, along with my sister, who was only in first grade. At 12am, we found my third brother alive. My mother was a strong woman. She would provide for us. She mourned my father’s death for three years, but people told her that it’s a long time to mourn. So she stopped wearing black and started wearing brighter clothes. But then she was killed. When my mother and sister died, my brothers and I stayed at my uncle’s house for a month. After that, my grandparents asked us to stay with them in Amman. I couldn’t bear to stay in Syria. It kept reminding me of what I lost—it drove me crazy. My brothers and I chose to leave Syria all together. We made the journey to Jordan alone. My aunt helped us get a taxi, which dropped us off close to the border. We walked to the berm [a no-man’s land between Syrian and Jordan]. During our journey, we were supporting each other. My oldest brother, Mousa, 15, and I took care of our younger brothers Ahmad, 14, and Abdo, 12. My brothers are all short-tempered ever since our days in Syria; they can’t handle too much pressure. They’re not easy to deal with, but they’re my brothers and I have to take care of them. I usually try to advise them and give them direction on what’s right and what’s wrong. If they don’t listen, I don’t push them. I only brought pictures and a piece of clothing that belonged to my mother, which still carries her scent. I also brought my little sister’s pajamas that she was wearing before she changed and went to play the day she died. It’s not a nice place—the berm. It’s a vast desert with so much sand and many tents. It looked like half of Syria was there. Once we arrived, I went to the guards and told them we’re alone. They looked at our papers, then at us, and immediately let us cross [the border into Jordan]. There was an officer there who was very kind to us; I will never forget his kindness. He gave my brothers and I clothes, food and money, and found us a place to stay with very nice people. He told us that we will be going to a better place tomorrow, and it was true. We met people from the IRC and then went to the child-protection reception area—the nicest place ever. It was Feb. 21. My younger sister, Ghazal, was playing w her friend out on the street, just in front of my aunt’s sh was in our house alone. My mother was having coffee a My younger neighbor’s house and my brothers were out playing with friends.When the bombing happened, I passed out beca sister, Ghazal, was playing with her friend door fell on me. A man pulled me out, and when I wok ront of my aunt’s shop. I was in our house everything had changed. My home was destroyed. I went running to look for my mother, and I found her ned, I passed out because a door fell on me. A man pulled me out, and I my when two brothers. woke up, everything had changed. My My home was destroyed. mother started screaming and went looking for my s ing to look for my mother, and I found her and my two brothers. I was told to stay behind. A second bombing killed my mother, along with my si who wasalive. onlyMy in first grade. Ata strong 12am, we found my th brother mother ing killed my mother, along with my sister, who was provide onlywas in for firstus. woman. She wo grade. At 12am, we found my third brother alive. My mothermy was a strong woman. She father’s death three So years, peo She would provide formourned us. told her that it’sstarted a long wearing time tofor mourn. shebut stoppe wearing black and brighter clothes. But She m a was killed. long time to mourn. So she stopped wearing and s andshe Whenblack my mother sister died, my brothers and I stay uncle’s house for ausmonth. After that, and mymy grandparents to stay with them nd sisterhouse died, for my I stayed atAmman. myasked uncle’s abrothers month. I couldn’t bear to stay in Syria. Af , my grandparents asked us toreminding stay with them in Amman. It kept me of what I lost—it drove me I couldn’t bear to stay in Syria. brothers and I chose to leave Syria all together. Wecrazy mad I chept nding me of what I lost—it drove me us crazy. and I journey tobrothers Jordan alone. Jordan alone. Myborder. aunt helped gettoMy a the taxi, which usland off clo My the walked berm [a dropped no-man’s bet Syrian andWe Jordan]. During journey, weand were suppo During our journey, we wereour supporting eacholdest other. My our each other. My brother, Mousa, 15, I took ca ad, 14, and younger brothers Ahmad, 14, and Abdo, 12. My bro Abdo, 12. MySyria; brothers areare allall short-tempered ever since our days inin Syria; they short-tempered ever since our days they handle too much pressure. handle too much pressure. They’re not easy to dealcan’t with, but they’re my brothers and have tomy They’re not easy toofdeal with, butIthey’re brothers a take care of them. I usually try to advise them and give them direction have to take care them. I usually try to advise them on what’s right and Iwhat’s wrong. Ifpictures they don’t I right don’t and pushwhat’s wrong give themlisten, direction onlisten, what’s them. only brought and a piece they don’t I don’t push them. I only brought pict ofIclothing that belonged to my pajamas mother, which still herbefore scent. and acarries piece also brought my little sister’s that she was wearing of clothing that belonged to my mother, which still ca changed andscent. went play the day died. her I to also brought myshe little sister’s pajamas It’s notshe a nice place—the berm. It’s atents. vast desert with sowent much wassand wearing before she changed and to play that the andyria many sheberm. IItwent looked like half ofaSnice was there .died. Once arrived, It’s and not place—the It’swe atents. vast desert to thethen guards toldimmediately them we’re alone. They looked at with much sandlet and many our papers, at and us cross [the border I t us, looked like half of S yria was there . Once Jordan]. arrived, I into went the guards and told we’re alon There was an officer who very kind tothem us; They looked atthere ourtopapers, then at us, and immediately I will never forget his kindness. Hewas gave my brothers and I cross [the border into Jordan]. clothes, food and money, was an officer there who was very kind and found usThere anever place to stay with very nice people. He toldto usa I will forget his kindness. He gave my brothers ustomorrow, that weclothes, will beit food going to amoney, and Wbetter place and wasthe true. We met people. people He found us aarea—the place towe stay with very nice fromand the IRC and then went to child-protection reception nicest place ever. us that will be going to a Wbetter place was We met peo from the IRCtomorrow, andarea—the then and wentit to thetrue. child-protection reception nicest place ever.
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THE BOMBING In 2011, the war in Syria started. We left our neighborhood in Aleppo for another we thought was safe. But a missile hit the bakery where my dad worked and he died. We spent two years mourning; there wasn’t much joy left in our lives.
But my mother made us feel like life could be normal again, and that there’s hope in this world. She took us to another area, which was safer. We stayed there for two years. We could come and go whenever we wanted. There was a strong sense of community; people were united. You would feel as comfortable out on the streets as in your own home. I used to go to school also; I studied until 10th grade. I have fond memories of my father; I consider our time together to be the best days of my life. I remember one time—it was during the month of Ramadan—after Iftar [breaking the fast meal]—my dad decided to take us on a trip. He took us to the amusement park and we had such a good time. On the way home, he opened the car’s rooftop and my sister and I stuck our heads out of the window. We stayed up until 4am! Imagine, it was that safe that we could stay up so late and nobody would bother us. It was Feb. 21. My younger sister, Ghazal, was playing with her friend out on the street, just in front of my aunt’s shop. I was in our house alone. My mother was having coffee at our neighbor’s house and my brothers were out playing with their friends. When the bombing happened, I passed out because a door fell on me. A man pulled me out, and when I woke up, everything had changed. My home was destroyed. I went running to look for my mother, and I found her and my two brothers.
My mother started screaming and went looking for my sister. I was told to stay behind. A second bombing killed my mother, along with my sister, who was only in first grade. At 12am, we found my third brother alive. My mother was a strong woman. She would provide for us. She mourned my father’s death for three years, but people told her that it’s a long time to mourn. So she stopped wearing black and started wearing brighter clothes. But then she was killed.
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THE LONG TREK When my mother and sister died, my brothers and I stayed at my uncle’s house for a month. After that, my grandparents asked us to stay with them in Amman. I couldn’t bear to stay in Syria. It kept reminding me of what I lost— it drove me crazy. My brothers and I chose to leave Syria all together. We made the journey to Jordan alone. My aunt helped us get a taxi, which dropped us off close to the border. We walked to the berm [a no-man’s land between Syrian and Jordan]. During our journey, we were supporting each other. My oldest brother, Mousa, 15, and I took care of our younger brothers Ahmad, 14, and Abdo, 12. My brothers are all short-tempered ever since our days in Syria; they can’t handle too much pressure. They’re not easy to deal with, but they’re my brothers and I have to take care of them. I usually try to advise them and give them direction on what’s right and what’s wrong. If they don’t listen, I don’t push them.
I only brought pictures and a piece of clothing that belonged to my mother, which still carries her scent. I also brought my little sister’s pajamas that she was wearing before she changed and went to play the day she died. It’s not a nice place—the berm. It’s a vast desert with so much sand and many tents. It looked like half of Syria was there. Once we arrived, I went to the guards and told them we’re alone. They looked at our papers, then at us, and immediately let us cross [the border into Jordan]. There was an officer there who was very kind to us; I will never forget his kindness. He gave my brothers and I clothes, food and money, and found us a place to stay with very nice people. He told us that we will be going to a better place tomorrow, and it was true.
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MISSING HOME I used to sit next to my mother’s grave and found comfort in that. I cried throughout the whole journey to Jordan. I would think back and regret ever fighting with my sister. If I knew she was going to die, I would have never fought with her. When we got to the child-protection reception area, I was surprised that I was still standing on my own two feet. I thought I would never be able to get over of my grief. But I found that the IRC staff, and the other girls there, are nice people. I started drawing and joining in activities like Zumba and theater [workshops] to help me forget about my misery.
I don’t like sitting alone without anything to do because everything comes back to me … it’s hard for me. When I feel pressured, I don’t reveal my sadness or take out my anger at people; I let it out by drawing. I take a pencil and paper and let out everything I have inside. When I finish my drawings, I look at them and see memories. And I think—is this how I was? I should go back to the way I used to be. But I felt like my mental state was better at the IRC, because I had my friends around me and we would play and joke around. My uncle and grandmother would visit us at the reception area. I was so happy to see someone related to me—it kept me hopeful. There are still people in this world that I love.
SAFE AGAIN After three months at the reception area, we were able to stay with our grandparents. They told us that we would be moving to Amman, a nicer place. I had mixed feelings; I was both happy and sad. The first two days in Amman, I felt uncomfortable. I missed my friends at the reception area, and I started thinking again. I kept thinking that I would never see my mother’s grave again. Sometimes my brothers and I get bored, so we start fighting. I don’t like that. I don’t want us to be a source of noise in the house. I keep telling my brothers that everything can be solved peacefully but, you know, they’re boys, they want to show their muscles. My grandparents are extremely good to us; they pamper us. They have enrolled us in school— we started in September! My wish is to finish high school and get my bachelor’s degree and work as a nurse.
In Syria, I spent two months shadowing nurses. It actually made me a stronger person when I saw dead people on the street—without heads, legs, arms or insides. I am relieved because my brothers and I are safe, but I miss my family. We left behind so many memories; we left behind a life and our country. The hardest thing to lose is one’s parents and country, and we lost them all. But I have my dreams. There’s still hope for me to live a good life with an education. My wish is for my mother and father to be proud of me.
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A countless number of children find some form of joy within the camps, if only to pass the time. They have dreams of becoming doctors and teachers, to help rebuild their country and provide a better future for themselves. Often times, these camps do not have the resources or supplies to provide education for all of the children within the camps. In several cases, the families do not have the funds to even support the schooling of the children. Despite all of this, the safety of the camps are still preferable to the constant conflict within their home country. The conflict has reached a boiling point within Aleppo, where the bulk of the fighting has been. The stand off between government and rebel forces have stranded an estimated two million residents while targeting establishments of aid and education. This has created a hole in terms of caring for the wounded within the city. Neither the government nor the rebel forces are willing to call a complete ceasefire to allow help to be delivered to the trapped residents. Since the civil war started in 2011, there has been varying numbers on casualties, at its lowest 250,000 confirmed deaths, at its highest 400,00. Aid within the country is hard to come by, and Syria has been ranked the most dangerous country to be a doctor. Around 15,000 doctors have fled the country so far in fear.
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The remains of Aleppo amidst the fighting.
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Aerial view of a Syria.
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Civilians carrying an injured man from a bombed building.
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A man looking at the remains of his destroyed house in Eastern Aleppo.
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Two boys walking through the aftermath of a shelling in Eastern Aleppo.
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THE CAMPS UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres says large numbers of Syrian refugees are sliding into abject poverty, and at an alarming rate, due to the magnitude of the crisis and insufficient support from the international community. According to the study conducted by the UNHCR and International Relief and Development, two-thirds of refugees across Jordan are now living below the national poverty line, and one in six Syrian refugee households is in abject poverty, with less than $40 per person per month to make ends meet.
“In the refugee camps, families sometimes live for years in cramped quarters under tents meant for temporary residence. This leads to a lack of resources and help for those residing there, espeically healthcare.” Getting vaccinations has become nearly impossible, and those with chronic illnesses such as diabetes are unlikely to get necessary medication. Some do not have proper sanitation facilities or the resources to continue life as normal. Those in the camps typically rely on monthly stipends to get by as they await confirmation for resettlement. Many long to go back to their home country, however the fighting has made it practically impossible for them to return home.
“Some refugees opt not to live in traditional camps and seek housing within cities in order to find jobs. Oftentimes, the homes they rent do not have proper heating, insulation, nor electricity.” They often struggle due to the language barrier and the restrictions placed upon them due to their status. Refugees are not counted as permantent residents within the various countries and do not have access to jobs like normal citizens. In order to work, they must obtain a work permit from the host government, a priviledge that is not granted to all those that apply. Even then, the jobs are few and far in-between due to the influx of available workers/refugees. This leads to meager pay and a strain in the local economy to keep up.
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10,000 An even worse situation is when the refugees are not resettled, and live in camps to ride out the tide. In many cases, the refugee camps are squalor, dirty, with little to no access to running water or sanitary stations. They’re often make-shift tents occupying vacant lots. One of the more well-known refugee camps is the Calais Jungle in France, where 10,000 refugees await asylum in Great Britain, citing fear of their treatment on French soil. The Calais Jungle is made up of several pods of tents that house refugees, mosques, churches, and restrooms. It has no access to electricity or running water. A restroom is a privilege for most within the camp. France has repeatedly tried to disband the refugee camp and resettle the occupants in smaller stations around the country, preferably in rural areas that are in need of a workforce. Many of the occupants claim they would rather wait it out in the slums than be resettled in other camps. Only about 22% when asked agreed to be resettled. However conditions in the smaller camps are not much better because they don’t receive enough aid from both France and the international community. In some instances, the refugees are not given any food to eat. As of October 2016, the French government has bulldozed over the lot that once held the Calais Jungle, effectively displacing the refugees that were living there.
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Refugees carrying their belongings as they are kicked out of the Calais Jungle and relocated.
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SEEKING ASYLUM Refugee status or asylum may be granted to people who have been persecuted or fear they will be persecuted on account of race, religion, nationality, and/or membership in a particular social group or political opinion. Refugee status is a form of protection that may be granted to people who meet the definition of refugee and who are of special humanitarian concern to the United States. Refugees are generally people outside of their country who are unable or unwilling to return home because they fear serious harm. Refugees and asylees are often misunderstood labels that can mean two separate things, though they are frequently used together. Both refugee and asylum seekers must demonstrate:
They can no longer live in their home country due to a reasonable fear or proof they will be persecuted. The reason for their persecution is related to their race, religion, nationality, membership in a social group, or political opinion. In these cases, “persecution” can mean anything from threats and harassment to violence, torture, unfair imprisonment, or denial of basic human rights. Refugees must apply for a green card after one year in the U.S., while asylees have the option to. They both receive the same rights as other green card holders (legal permanent residents). The U.S. government has much tighter restrictions on who can be labeled a refugee. Each year, the President determines how many refugees will be allowed to enter the U.S. In fiscal year 2013, 69,930 refugees were authorized to enter the U.S., just 70 people shy of the 70,000 maximum. Iraq, Burma, and Bhutan sent the largest groups of refugees to the U.S.
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In order to be a refugee under U.S. immigration law, You must fit the requirements regarding persecution (listed below): You must secure refugee status while you are still outside the United States. You cannot seek refugee status once you are inside. Your case is of special humanitarian concern to the United States. You can be labeled admissible for legal entry into the United States. You must receive a referral to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) for consideration as a refugee. If you receive a referral, you will receive help filling out your application and then be interviewed abroad by a USCIS officer who will determine whether you are eligible for refugee resettlement. If you are approved as a refugee, you will receive a medical exam, a cultural orientation, help with your travel plans, and a loan for your travel to the United States. After you arrive, you will be eligible for medical and cash assistance. If you are admitted as a refugee, you must apply for a green card one year after coming to the United States. If you are a refugee in the United States and want your family members who are abroad to join you, you may file Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition, for your spouse and unmarried children under 21. You must file within two years of your arrival to the United States unless there are humanitarian reasons to excuse this deadline. If you have refugee status and want to travel outside the United States, you will need to obtain a Refugee Travel Document in order to return to the United States. If you do not obtain a Refugee Travel Document in advance of departure, you may be unable to re-enter the United States. If you return to the country from which you fled, you will have to explain how you were able to return safely.
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THE WAITING GAME Refugee applicants are subject to intensive biographic and biometric security checks. Through close coordination with the federal law enforcement and intelligence communities, these checks are continually reviewed and enhanced to address specific populations that may pose particular threats. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) identifies and refers many refugees to the USRAP for resettlement consideration. UNHCR also provides important information about the worldwide refugee situation. The Department of State (State) coordinates and manages the USRAP. Resettlement Support Centers (RSCs) work with State to carry out administrative and processing functions, such as file preparation, data collection, and out-processing activities during the refugee admissions process.
USCIS conducts interviews with applicants to determine their eligibility for refugee status, including whether they are credible, meet the refugee definition, and are otherwise admissible to the United States under U.S. law. For refugees from Syria and similar countries, however, the process can span two years, a spokesperson for the State Department told the Voice of America in September. Experts confirmed that two years is the average review duration for Syrian refugees, which means that some wait even longer. (for it to take one year, that’s a nice estimate) -- however typically you would expect to wait around 1.5 years to 3 years to be approved for refugee/immigration status)
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First, the refugee must be referred to the United States by the United Nations, going through background checks and approval by the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Health and Human Services. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has special employees to handle refugee resettlement requests. They conduct in-depth interviews to make sure the refugee is not a threat to national security, traveling to the country that the applicant is residing in to conduct interviews. America is in a unique situation with Syrian and Middle Eastern refugees in that they need absolute approval before entering the country. There’s no other way for them to access America, unlike Europe, where there is land and sea methods.
Syrian refugees have an even harder and more arduous process than others in obtaining resettlement into the US. Once the DHS agent has conducted the interview, they must corroborate those stories with others in the applicant’s life; once that step has been passed, the applicant must go through another background, physical, and medical check before being approved for resettlement. The approval process must go through several organizations and NGOs to come to the US and be relocated. The US works with nine approved NGOs that handle the resettling of Syrian refugees. Refugees’ plane tickets to America are paid for them initially, however the refugee must pay back that debt. They are also required to find a job and pay for housing. They do not receive special treatment due to their status -- the DHS and the NGO will find a place that the refugee can afford to live in, and give them a $1000 stipend each month to pay for expenses. After that, they’re on their own.
Designed, curated and edited by Nhu Y Pham Š Nhu Y Pham, 2016.
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Agerholm, Harriet. “Fears unofficial refugee camps could expand amid Calais Jungle demolition.” The Independent. October, 22, 2016. < http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/fears-unofficial-camps-could-expand-amid-looming-jungle-demolition-calais-refugees-latest-france-a7375441.html> Altman, Alex. "This Is How the Syrian Refugee Screening Process Works." Time.November 17, 2015. <http://time.com/4116619/syrian-refugees-screening-process/.> Connor, Philip and Jens Manuel Krogstad. “Key facts about the world’s refugees.” Pew Research Center. October 6, 2016. < http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/10/05/key-facts-about-the-worlds-refugees/> McClelland, Mac. “How to Build a Perfect Refugee Camp.” The New York Times. February, 13,2014. <http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/16/magazine/how-to-build-a-perfect-refugee-camp.html?_r=0> Peterson, Tom. “Refugee crisis: Thousands are living in cramped conditions in a former German airport waiting to be granted asylum.” The Indedpendent. March 24, 2016. < http:// www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/refugee-crisis-thousands-are-living-incramped-conditions-in-a-former-german-airport-waiting-to-be-a6950896.html> Pope, Amy. “Infographic: The Screening Process for Refugee Entry into the United States.” The White House: Barack Obama. November 20, 2015. <https://www.whitehouse.gov/ blog/2015/11/20/infographic-screening-process-refugee-entry-united-states.> Qiu, Linda. "Jeb Bush: 'It Takes Almost a Year for a Refugee to Be Processed in the United States'" Politifact. November 15, 2015. Accessed December 1, 2016. <http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/ statements/2015/nov/15/jeb-bush/jeb-bush-it-takes-almost-year-refugee-be-processed/.> Rothwell, James. “Calais ‘jungle’ demolition: what will happen to child refugees when the camp is razed, and where will they go?.” The Telegraph. October 22, 2016. < http://www.telegraph.co.uk/ news/2016/10/22/calais-jungle-demolition-what-will-happen-to-child-refugees-when/.> Saad, Hwaida and Nick Cumming-Bruc. “Over 100 Children Among 338 Killed in Aleppo Attacks This Week, W.H.O. Says.” The New York Times. September 30, 2016. < http:// www.nytimes.com/2016/10/01/world/middleeast/aleppo-syria-civilians.html> The Data Team. “Syria’s drained population.” The Economist. September 30, 2015. < http://www.economist.com/blogs/graphicdetail/2015/09/daily-chart-18> The UN Refugee Agency. “Figures At A Glance.” The United Nations. “United States Refugee Program.” <https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/USCIS/ Humanitarian/Refugees%20%26%20Asylum/USAP_FlowChart_V9.pdf> US Citizen & Immigration Services. “Refugee Processing and Security Screening.” December, 3, 2015. <https://www.uscis.gov/refugeescreening> US Citizenship & Immigration Services. “Refugees.” May, 5, 2016. <https:// www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/refugees-asylum/refugees> Vandoorne Saskya, Bryony Jones, and Chandrika Narayan. “Tensions high inside ‘Jungle’ refugee camp as demolition nears.” CNN. October 23, 2016. < http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/23/europe/calais-jungle-demolition/> VISANOW. "What's the Difference between U.S. Immigrant Refugees and Asylees?" VISANOW Global Immigration. N.p., 28 Oct. 2016. Web. 01 Dec. 2016. <http:// www.visanow.com/immigration-blog/refugees-and-asylees/>.
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https://static01.nyt.com/images/2016/10/24/world/europe/25jungle-slide-0C52/25jungle-slide-0C52-superJumbo. jpghttps://static01.nyt.com/images/2016/10/24/world/europe/25jungle-slide-7DK9/25jungle-slide-7DK9-superJumbo.jpg (NYT Calais Jungle) https://static01.nyt.com/images/2016/1 0/24/world/europe/25jungle-slide-P0YN/25jungle-slide-P0YN-superJumbo.jpg https://static01.nyt.com/images/2016/10/24/world/europe/25jungle-slide-VFZM/25jungle-slide-VFZM-superJumbo.jpg https://static01.nyt.com/images/2016/10/24/world/europe/25jungle-slide-6IAM/25jungle-slide-6IAM-superJumbo.jpg https://static01.nyt.com/images/2016/10/24/world/europe/25jungle-slide-2B7Y/25jungle-slide-2B7Y-superJumbo.jpg https://static01.nyt.com/images/2016/10/24/world/europe/25jungle-slide-4AMW/25jungle-slide-4AMW-superJumbo.jpg (Article link to images: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/25/world/europe/we-areready-to-leave-france-clears-out-the-jungle.html?action=click&contentCollection=Times%20 Insider&module=RelatedCoverage&region=EndOfArticle&pgtype=article https://static01.nyt.com/images/2014/02/16/magazine/16kilis1/16kilis1-superJumbo.jpg http://www.helpforsyria.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Youtube.jpg https://format-com-cld-res.cloudinary.com/image/private/s--fDMQFRKa--/c_limit,g_center,h_65535,w_2500/a_auto,fl_keep_iptc.progressive,q_95/61618-6263353-What_about_Syria_0001_jpg1.jpg https://format-com-cld-res.cloudinary.com/image/private/s--aw-F1CXR--/c_limit,g_center,h_550,w_65535/a_auto,fl_keep_iptc.progressive,q_95/61618-6261834-The_battle_for_Aleppo_0017.jpg
Photographer: http://www.achilleaszavallis.com/the-mother-of-all-battles
http://cdn.warontherocks.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Serbia-Strike.jpg http://cdn1.matadornetwork.com/blogs/1/2013/01/AleppoAleppo-Syria-Matador-SEO.jpg http://elm.washcoll.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/syria.jpg http://compasscultura.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Aleppo-Compass-Cultura-05.jpg http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/42-77124275.jpg https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e2/Dead_Armenian_girl_in_Aleppo_desert.jpg http://compasscultura.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Aleppo-Compass-Cultura-01.jpg http://4cdn.hu/kraken/image/upload/s--C08X2H9y--/6uh848BHLN6n1Uuzws.jpeg