Need help?

Refugee Resettlement Services

The Department of State’s Bureau for Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) oversees the Refugee Resettlement Program. The State Department develops application criteria and refugee admission ceilings, and presents eligible cases to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) bureau for adjudication. Resettlement Services begins prior to arrival where an apartment is prepared for the individual or family.

After arrival, case management promotes early self-sufficiency and cultural adjustment. Services provided within the first thirty days include appropriate housing, application for Social Security number, health screening/immunizations, school registration, English classes and job search. Those who are eligible for employment post thirty days may seek assistance through the Match Grant program or Job Placement services.

Population

Only refugees who have been referred by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) or by the U.S. embassy in the country of asylum are eligible for the U.S. Resettlement Program. Only refugees under the jurisdiction of these programs are eligible for Reception and Placement and Match Grant through the Resettlement Program at CCD. The Resettlement Program also provides services for asylees, second migration clients, and Cuban or Haitian entrants.

Most refugees resettled during fiscal year 2014 were Afghan, Bhutanese, Burmese, Congolese, Cuban, Eritrean, Iranian, Iraqi, Liberian, Nepali, Somali, Sudanese, and Vietnamese.

Service Access

Catholic Charities Dallas works with the United States government to shelter refugees and victims of circumstance. The Resettlement Program makes arrangements for the refugee to be met at the airport and begins the process of helping the refugee resettle in their new community. Specific areas of assistance include:

  • Reception and placement
  • Cultural orientation
  • Match grant
  • Refugee cash assistance
  • Safe passages

For more information about our Refugee Resettlement, please contact Elva Alcala, Program Manager, at 972.246.6002

Harka’s Story

Receiving the help from RES, Harka equates it to the relationship of a mother and child. Once child is able to walk on its own, a mother no longer has to hold on.

 “Catholic Charities has been like a mother to me, who gives help when crawling.”

– Harka