Frequently Asked Questions
What is a refugee?
A refugee is a person who is "unable or unwilling to return to his or her country of origin because of previous persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution, based on the person's race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion".
What is an immigrant?
The official definition of an immigrant is a foreign-born individual who has been admitted to reside permanently in the United States as a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR). Unofficially, the term "immigrant" is used to describe any foreign-born individual regardless of whether he/she is legally present in the U.S. or whether he/she intends to be in the U.S. temporarily.
What is the difference between a refugee and an immigrant?
An immigrant voluntarily leaves his/her country of origin to work, study, or live in the United States. A refugee is a person in flight from a desperate situation. The key difference, then, is that an immigrant chooses to leave his/her country of origin. A refugee, on the other hand, is compelled to seek asylum in another country.
Where do refugees come from?
Over the years, refugees have come from several different countries. In the mid-1970's and 1980's, refugees came primarily from Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. In the 1990's, we continued to see refugees from Southeast Asia, but also began seeing large numbers from Eastern European countries of Bosnia, Herzegovina, and Croatia. Refugees have also migrated from African countries, particularly Sudan.
How many refugees are there in the world?
According to the World Refugee Survey 2008, 14 million people are refugees and asylum seekers, unable or unwilling to return to their native country and in need of protection. Nearly two-thirds of the world's refugees are in the Near East and Africa. Large refugee populations today include Kurds, Burundians, Burmese, Afghans, and Sudanese. Women and children make up 80% of the world's refugee population.
How many refugees are resettled in Nebraska?
There are three agencies in Nebraska designated as refugee resettlement agencies: Lutheran Family Services has offices in Omaha and Lincoln, Southern Sudan Community Association in Omaha, and Catholic Charities in Lincoln. In 2007, Lutheran Family Services resettled 277 individuals in Omaha and Lincoln while Southern Sudan Community Association resettled 135 individuals in Omaha.