Refugee Resettlement

This report provides information on the initial resettlement assistance provided refugees entering the United States. The State Department's refugee reception and placement program establishes agreements with private voluntary agencies and provides them with per capita grants to assist refugees with their basic needs during their first 90 days in the United States. GAO discusses (1) what assistance the voluntary agencies agree to provide, (2) how they provide it, and (3) whether they are fulfilling their agreements.

GAO found that: (1) the Bureau of Refugee Programs' cooperative agreements give volags and their affiliates flexibility in the assistance provided to refugees; (2) the agreements describe the core services that must be provided or made available to refugees for at least 90 days, unless otherwise specified; (3) there is no requirement that each refugee receive the same assistance or that volags expend at least the per capita grant amount on each refugee; (4) volags meet agreement requirements in different ways by the type of housing provided, the amount of cash distributed, the frequency of refugee referrals to welfare, how employment is provided, and the extent they rely on relatives; and (5) volags and their affiliates are generally in compliance with their agreements.