When a refugee lands at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, they’re technically considered homeless. Although Caritas of Austin might be best known for our Community Kitchen or helping end veteran homelessness, we also work to ensure newly arrived refugees have a safe home, basic needs, and comprehensive support during their first months in Austin.
Here are 12 things you might not know about Caritas’ refugee services, the potential impact of federal changes, and how you can get involved.
- Last year, Caritas of Austin resettled refugees from Afghanistan, Bhutan, Burma, Burundi, Congo, Cuba, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, Cameroon, Uganda, Syria, and Zambia.
- Were President Trump’s travel ban to be reinstated with regard to refugees, Caritas of Austin could face a $400,000 to $500,000 funding gap during the proposed 120-day pause on new refugee arrivals, putting several of our staff positions at risk.
- Already-arrived refugees would still receive temporary financial assistance, but there likely would be a temporary loss of funding for the professional staff members who support these refugees, including #4 – #6 below.
- Each of our resettlement case managers simultaneously supports numerous refugees with tasks such as picking them up at the airport when they arrive in Austin, setting up their apartment, helping children enroll in school, and connecting refugees to healthcare and other resources.
- Employment specialists at Caritas of Austin connect refugees to jobs and ensure self-sufficiency within six months of arrival, including resume and interview assistance, workforce training programs, and ongoing employer support. Over the past year, our employment specialists have helped over 400 refugees find work at employers ranging from the healthcare industry to hospitality and manufacturing.
- Education specialists teach week-long cultural orientations when refugees arrive and job readiness classes to teach skills that help refugees obtain employment. Refugees experience drastic culture differences and must learn new ways of grocery shopping, interacting with public safety professionals, and navigating transportation.
- The potential effects of a temporary ban are devastating because Caritas of Austin is still required, and committed, to serving the 495 refugees on its current caseload (separate from new arrivals). That includes 249 refugees who have arrived since September, 87 of them children. (Numbers as of 2/6/17)
- Since the stay was issued last week, Caritas of Austin has returned to “business as usual”, welcoming 5 new refugee families last week and 12 families this week.
- After becoming registered as a refugee with UNHCR (The United Nations refugee agency), all refugees are already subject to a multi-layer vetting process including background checks, interviews, and health screenings with the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State. This entire process takes more than a year, often multiple years.
- Within 8 months, the vast majority of refugees are living self-sufficiently, and are no longer eligible for SNAP, Medicaid, or other assistance programs. Additionally, every refugee who is at least 18 years old must repay the U.S. government for their plane ticket, further reducing their economic footprint.
And now, most importantly…
- Want to help? We need you now more than ever. Monetary donations ensure that Caritas can maintain a full staff during times of funding uncertainty. You can also donate HEB or Walmart gift card to go toward groceries, or a rice cooker, which is the most requested item by refugees.
- Calling your representatives might seem futile, but it is not. It is the best channel to make your voice heard across both political parties. If you want refugee resettlement to continue without pause, please continue to call your national legislators and tell them so.