Refugees are individuals who have fled their countries of origin and who meet the United Nations' criteria of having a "well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion."

Each year, the President of the United States authorizes the admission of a certain number of refugees into the country.  Before admission to the U.S., refugees are cleared by the Department of Homeland Security to become America’s future citizens.

Catholic Charities has been resettling refugees for more than 35 years. Each year, we help close to 1,000 refugees become productive members of their new communities.

Our refugees clients come from Iraq where helping our military has put their lives in danger. Others come from countries like Bhutan, Burma and other nations where ethnic discrimination has deprived them of their homes and livelihoods.