According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), a refugee is defined as:
“Any person who is outside their country of origin and unable or unwilling to return there or to avail themselves of its protection, on account of a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular group, or political opinion.”
Refugees legally enter the United States in search of freedom, peace, and opportunity for themselves and their families.
Since CCM began resettling refugees in the 19___, refugees in Maine have come from over 30 countries in: Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, Former Soviet Republics, Middle East, Eastern Africa, South/Central America, Caribbean and Cuba. Current refugee populations that are coming to Maine are from Somalia, Sudan, Congo, Ethiopia, Burma, Iran and Iraq. Trends in refugee resettlement mirror the conflicts and tragedies that are happening worldwide and as such, Maine has most recently assisted in the resettlement of Eastern African and Middle Eastern refugees.
Catholic Charities Refugee & Immigration Services has been resettling persons granted asylum for more than 40 years. More recent historical data of refugee arrivals to Maine is below and current data can be found on the Office of Maine Refugee Services data page, which tracks refugees resettled by all three agencies (CCM, MIERS & JCA) there are monthly updates on arrivals, including where they are from(nationality), the age ranges, and city of residence, among other stats. Refugees are well-documented arrivals.
A primary refugee is a refugee who arrives directly from a country of asylum or house host country (refugee camp) to Maine.
A secondary migrant is a person who entered the United States as a refugee and was resettled in one state, but then chose to move to another state. For example, a refugee who was resettled in Chicago, IL, but then chose to move to Portland, Maine, would be considered a secondary migrant when arriving in Maine.
Asylees, individuals who have already been granted asylum in the U.S., do not receive formal resettlement assistance from the government but can access limited support. Once their asylum is approved, those who are unemployed may receive Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA), Food Stamps, and Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) for up to eight months. Additionally, asylees and refugees may enroll in the Match Grant program within 30 days of being granted asylum, which focuses on employment and self-sufficiency but restricts access to state benefits during participation. In Maine, asylees can receive support from Catholic Charities RIS.
Asylum seekers, individuals who are still in the process of applying for asylum, may be eligible for assistance from General Assistance offices across all Maine municipalities. While their asylum case is pending, they may be eligible for certain benefits like Food Stamps, Medicare, and Cash Assistance through the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Additionally, they can apply for a work permit after 150 days from the date their case is accepted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which can help them secure employment while their status is being determined.
Yes and no! All refugees are immigrants, but not all immigrants are refugees. Refugees are allowed into the US by the federal government for humanitarian reasons, and receive temporary financial support. Other immigrants come to the US under different criteria and must show that they will be self-supporting before they enter the US.
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