Refugee Resettlement Journey

Can you imagine fleeing your home in fear, living in a refugee camp, waiting to learn where you and your family will live next, landing in a new city in a new country, and starting over?

It is a long, strenuous journey.

West Michigan has a long history of providing a new home for refugees fleeing war, persecution, and human trafficking. West Michigan opened its doors in the 1970s to individuals and families who were forced from their birth countries due to no fault of their own and gave them a place to start anew.

It’s estimated that more than 25,000 refugees and children of refugees from over 25 countries, representing 36 ethnicities, including those in Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia, and more, now reside in West Michigan, while hundreds more are resettled each year.

“All immigrants face serious challenges in our community,” says Susan Kragt, Refugee Education Center executive director. “Starting over in a new place is hard for anyone, especially if that new place means a completely new language and culture. For refugees, this is no different. What is different is the story of forced migration.”

Below are the six primary resettlement steps that refugees from around the globe follow to settle in West Michigan.

1. Fleeing Home

War, conflict, and persecution based on race, religion, nationality, sexuality, politics, or social group forces refugees to flee their homes.

2. Seeking Asylum

Seeking protection in a nearby country, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees conducts initial interviews and grants individuals with refugee status.

3. Needing a Forever Home

Refugees can’t go home and can’t leave the camp. Roughly one percent of refugees are selected for resettlement globally. Some refugees will live their entire lives in refugee camps.

4. Designating Resettlement

For resettlement in the US, the application and screening process can take two years through the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) and resettlement volunteer agencies (VOLAGS).

5. Resettling in the United States

Local agencies are contracted by the federal government to welcome refugees and help them get settled with housing, healthcare, career or job placement, and education support.

6. Full Participation

Rebuilding your life in a new country is never easy. It takes time and support. The Refugee Education Center provides support so that refugees can join, add, learn from the surrounding culture, and contribute to a thriving West Michigan where all have an opportunity for a better future.