[Urbanguy]

As some of you may or may not know, the Northwest plays an important role as a preferred destination for refugee resettlements in the United States. Many of the Cubans, Somalis, Afghans, Ukrainians, Bosnians, Sudanese, Liberians, Ethiopians, Iranians, Hmongs, etc that settled in the Northwest initially were resettled here as Refugees/Asylees, etc. Many are still being resettled in the NW today. These resettlements have also open the door for their families, friends, etc to migrate here as well but not necessarily as refugees/asylees but also as legal permanent residents (immigrants).

Portland - Other than those from the former USSR that have been resettled here Cubans, Somalis and Hmongs have also been among the major groups of people. Many of the Cubans and even Haitians that have been resettled here actually landed in places like Miami first than processed and flown to Portland (and other destinations of course) to be resettled. Later followed by their families once they are established. Factoid: Portland/Oregon is where most of the Cubans have been resettled in the NW.

Seattle - former USSR, Somalia, Iran, Sudan (more recent), and Ethiopia. Factoid: Seattle/Washington is where most of the Somalis have been resettled in the NW.

Boise - former USSR, Yugoslavia (Bosnia-Herezegovina), Afghanistan (more recent), and Somalia (more recent). Factoid: Boise/Idaho is where most of the refugees from Afghanistan have been resettled in the NW.

Who is considered a Refugee in the United States?

Any person who is outside any country of such person's nationality or, in the case of a person having no nationality, is outside any country in which such person last habitually resided, and who is unable or unwilling to return to, and is unable or unwilling to avail himself or herself of the protection of, that country because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.

These are the Top 20 Amerasian, Asylee (from Northern Iraq), Entrant, and Refugee Arrivals by Country or Origin and State of Initial Resettlement for Washington, Oregon and Idaho fiscal years 2000-2006.

Washington Refugee Resettlements 2000-06

1 U.S.S.R. (former): 15,533
2 Somalia: 2,027
3 Yugoslavia (former): 1,074
4 Vietnam: 819
5 Iran: 656
6 Sudan: 549
7 Ethiopia: 547
8 Afghanistan: 221
9 Liberia: 213
10 Iraq: 135
11 Cuba: 133
12 Laos: 97
13 Burma (Myanmar): 70
14 Eritrea: 64
15 Sierra Leone: 63
16 Congo, Dem. Republic: 37
17 Colombia: 31
18 Burundi: 15
19 Rwanda: 13
20 Togo: 13
Total (2000-06): 22,361

Oregon Refugee Resettlements 2000-06

1 U.S.S.R. (former): 5,688
2 Cuba: 775
3 Somalia: 658
4 Yugoslavia (former): 423
5 Ethiopia: 251
6 Vietnam: 165
7 Iran: 155
8 Liberia: 129
9 Afghanistan: 111
10 Burma (Myanmar): 83
11 Iraq: 48
12 Sudan: 47
13 Laos: 40
14 Congo, Dem. Republic: 34
15 Togo: 23
16 Haiti: 13
17 Burundi: 10
18 Rwanda: 8
19 Sierra Leone: 5
20 Eritrea: 3
Total (2000-06): 8,676

Idaho Refugee Resettlements 2000-06

1 Yugoslavia (former): 1,110
2 U.S.S.R. (former): 836
3 Afghanistan: 446
4 Somalia: 303
5 Sudan: 136
6 Iran: 124
7 Liberia: 68
8 Kenya: 49
9 Colombia: 33
10 Congo, Dem. Republic: 31
11 Iraq: 31
12 Ethiopia: 27
13 Vietnam: 25
14 Burma (Myanmar): 20
15 Togo: 18
16 Burundi: 11
17 Cuba (entrant): 7
18 Eritrea: 6
19 Rwanda: 5
20 Sierra Leone: 5
Total (2000-06): 3,328

Source: Office of Refugee Resettlement

Thoughts? Do you know anyone that has been resettled in the region?

[zilfondel]

Could someone please explain to me how we have refugees from Russia?! Last I checked, there hasn't exactly been any wars, besides Chechnya (and it wasn't Russia that got blown up).

I've met quite a few Somalians lately, tho... particularly cabbies. They seem pretty cool.

I've also met a couple of Bosnians in Portland... poor buggers, genocide and all. One had his legs off from a landmine, too. :(

[ratbear]

As some of you may or may not know, the Northwest plays an important role as a preferred destination for refugee resettlements in the United States. Many of the Cubans, Somalis, Afghans, Ukrainians, Bosnians, Sudanese, Liberians, Ethiopians, Iranians, Hmongs, etc that settled in the Northwest initially were resettled here as Refugees/Asylees, etc. Many are still being resettled in the NW today. These resettlements have also open the door for their families, friends, etc to migrate here as well but not necessarily as refugees/asylees but also as legal permanent residents (immigrants).

Portland - Other than those from the former USSR that have been resettled here Cubans, Somalis and Hmongs have also been among the major groups of people. Many of the Cubans and even Haitians that have been resettled here actually landed in places like Miami first than processed and flown to Portland (and other destinations of course) to be resettled. Later followed by their families once they are established. Factoid: Portland/Oregon is where most of the Cubans have been resettled in the NW.

Seattle - former USSR, Somalia, Iran, Sudan (more recent), and Ethiopia. Factoid: Seattle/Washington is where most of the Somalis have been resettled in the NW.

Boise - former USSR, Yugoslavia (Bosnia-Herezegovina), Afghanistan (more recent), and Somalia (more recent). Factoid: Boise/Idaho is where most of the refugees from Afghanistan have been resettled in the NW.

Who is considered a Refugee in the United States?

Any person who is outside any country of such person's nationality or, in the case of a person having no nationality, is outside any country in which such person last habitually resided, and who is unable or unwilling to return to, and is unable or unwilling to avail himself or herself of the protection of, that country because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.

These are the Top 20 Amerasian, Asylee (from Northern Iraq), Entrant, and Refugee Arrivals by Country or Origin and State of Initial Resettlement for Washington, Oregon and Idaho fiscal years 2000-2006.

Washington Refugee Resettlements 2000-06

1 U.S.S.R. (former): 15,533
2 Somalia: 2,027
3 Yugoslavia (former): 1,074
4 Vietnam: 819
5 Iran: 656
6 Sudan: 549
7 Ethiopia: 547
8 Afghanistan: 221
9 Liberia: 213
10 Iraq: 135
11 Cuba: 133
12 Laos: 97
13 Burma (Myanmar): 70
14 Eritrea: 64
15 Sierra Leone: 63
16 Congo, Dem. Republic: 37
17 Colombia: 31
18 Burundi: 15
19 Rwanda: 13
20 Togo: 13
Total (2000-06): 22,361

Oregon Refugee Resettlements 2000-06

1 U.S.S.R. (former): 5,688
2 Cuba: 775
3 Somalia: 658
4 Yugoslavia (former): 423
5 Ethiopia: 251
6 Vietnam: 165
7 Iran: 155
8 Liberia: 129
9 Afghanistan: 111
10 Burma (Myanmar): 83
11 Iraq: 48
12 Sudan: 47
13 Laos: 40
14 Congo, Dem. Republic: 34
15 Togo: 23
16 Haiti: 13
17 Burundi: 10
18 Rwanda: 8
19 Sierra Leone: 5
20 Eritrea: 3
Total (2000-06): 8,676

Idaho Refugee Resettlements 2000-06

1 Yugoslavia (former): 1,110
2 U.S.S.R. (former): 836
3 Afghanistan: 446
4 Somalia: 303
5 Sudan: 136
6 Iran: 124
7 Liberia: 68
8 Kenya: 49
9 Colombia: 33
10 Congo, Dem. Republic: 31
11 Iraq: 31
12 Ethiopia: 27
13 Vietnam: 25
14 Burma (Myanmar): 20
15 Togo: 18
16 Burundi: 11
17 Cuba (entrant): 7
18 Eritrea: 6
19 Rwanda: 5
20 Sierra Leone: 5
Total (2000-06): 3,328

Source: Office of Refugee Resettlement

Thoughts? Do you know anyone that has been resettled in the region?

All I know is about 95% of those 2000 Somalis work in downtown Seattle parking garages. :shrug: ;)

[bvpcvm]

Could someone please explain to me how we have refugees from Russia?! Last I checked, there hasn't exactly been any wars, besides Chechnya (and it wasn't Russia that got blown up).

I've met quite a few Somalians lately, tho... particularly cabbies. They seem pretty cool.

I've also met a couple of Bosnians in Portland... poor buggers, genocide and all. One had his legs off from a landmine, too. :(

I can explain - I used to work in refugee resettlement with the "Russian" speaking population. Actually, the vast majority are from Ukraine, and mostly western Ukraine. There are a smattering from eastern Ukraine (which is heavily Russified) as well as Russia. There are also many (20-40%?) from Moldova, where they speak Romanian (which is not a Slavic language; it's related to Latin). Since we Americans don't know any better, we call them all Russians, even though Russian is a second, or even third language for many.

Anyway, why are they here? They're almost all religious refugees - they're all members of pentecostal churches, almost all of them are from the countryside, and they're very poorly educated. Some have told me that other than the bible, they don't allow any books at home. They also have enormous families; 8 kids isn't uncommon and a few families I knew had as many as 12. Most of them live in east county. The lack of education means they tend to concentrate in construction and other trades. In Ukraine, where conformity is one of the most important values, they stick out, and so people beat them up and make use of their self-imposed lack of education.

Oh, there's also a small number (2000-3000) of Russian Jews, who tend to actually be from Russia. They tend to live in Washington county and are more urban, educated, and assimilated. They also have much smaller families. As you can imagine these two groups tend to loathe each other.

[Urbanguy]

^That's true most are religious refugees and are often of a Christian sect or Jewish. The first waves of people that were admitted to the US from the former Soviet Union etc were nearly all Jewish as many favored settling in the US versus resettling in Israel as originally allowed/supported by the former USSR government. There were no direct flights to Israel during that period so many had to fly to various parts of Europe and from there to Israel but by the mid 70s more than half wanted to go to the US (especially after hearing of success stories and greater opportunities) instead and although many Jewish Americans wanted them to settle in Israel they supported/advocated for them to be settled in the US and well the rest as they say is history.

Even many of the approximately 8,000 or so Iraqis that are supposed to be resettled in the US this year or sometime soon are, from what I understand, mainly the Assyrian/Chaldean groups who are largely Christian. Although, the majority were supposed to be Iraqis that helped the US against Sadam regardless of religion.

The US does tend to choose those that are largely Christian or Jewish but it may all change if the US gives more authority to the UN and refugee resettlement contractors to choose who gets settled in the US. This is something that is currently being considered. NGOs also want to have a larger role as well.

[seapug]

i think america should except more refugees, but isn't it true that in most of these countries christians and jews do tend to be the most persecuted?

[Urbanguy]

^Well in some of those countries they have been persecuted/discriminated for being of a Christian or Jewish faith but not most or all think Somalia, Sudan, Liberia, Afghanistan, Laos, Cuba, Haiti, etc.

[bgwah]

Seems a little friendly to European/white refugees.

[zilfondel]

I can explain - They're almost all religious refugees - they're all members of pentecostal churches, almost all of them are from the countryside, and they're very poorly educated. Some have told me that other than the bible, they don't allow any books at home. They also have enormous families; 8 kids isn't uncommon and a few families I knew had as many as 12. Most of them live in east county. The lack of education means they tend to concentrate in construction and other trades. In Ukraine, where conformity is one of the most important values, they stick out, and so people beat them up and make use of their self-imposed lack of education.

Oh, there's also a small number (2000-3000) of Russian Jews, who tend to actually be from Russia. They tend to live in Washington county and are more urban, educated, and assimilated. They also have much smaller families. As you can imagine these two groups tend to loathe each other.

This would explain why the Republikons are busing them to Salem to support anti-gay political campaigns, eh?

THE RUSSIANS ARE UNBECOMING (http://www.wweek.com/editorial/3313/8527/) (willamette week)

[bvpcvm]

This would explain why the Republikons are busing them to Salem to support anti-gay political campaigns, eh?

THE RUSSIANS ARE UNBECOMING (http://www.wweek.com/editorial/3313/8527/) (willamette week)

Unfortunately, yes. Not exactly paragons of tolerance. In my more paranoid moments I suspect the whole program to admit them was to help skew things "right"-ward.

[seapug]

i love this country. it's backwards and hilarious in every way imaginable.

[Urbanguy]

bgwah and definately those that are either Christian or Jewish whether persecuted for being so or not (including majority non-Caucasian countries). I think that bvpcvm made a good point as to why perhaps? I also wonder if that will change if the UN and Refugee Resettlement Contractors and perhaps NGOs are given more authority? Alot of those from the former USSR that settled in Israel are ultra-conservative and i'd imagine thats been the same for a large share of those that have settled and continue to here.

[77e]

Many of the Cubans, Somalis, Afghans, Ukrainians, Bosnians, Sudanese, Liberians, Ethiopians, Iranians, Hmongs, etc that settled in the Northwest initially were resettled here as Refugees/Asylees, etc.

How do you know that 'many of the Cubans' here were resettled? How many Cubans do you know?

I am not a refugee, and I don't know any other Cubans in the Seattle area who are either. Most came here to work. I know doctors, engineers, programmers, a lawyer, and a teacher. Not one of them was 'resettled' here.

How about me? I was born in New York, grew up in Eastern Washington, came to Seattle to go to UW, and have stayed here since.

If you don't know, Cuba is the most racially-mixed country in the world. So not all Cubans look the same. Like other Cubans of mostly European ancestry, many people can't believe I am Hispanic. While many are mixed, they are also some pure African, Asian, or European Cubans. We got it all. You could be passing Cuban people on the street without knowing their ethnicity.

But when you meet a Cuban, ask his or her story. I'd be surprised to meet anyone who was a refugee or asylum-seeker. Your mileage may vary.

[James Bond Agent 007]

Soooo . . . when do we get some Romulans here? :???:

[bvpcvm]

How do you know that 'many of the Cubans' here were resettled? How many Cubans do you know?

I am not a refugee, and I don't know any other Cubans in the Seattle area who are either. Most came here to work. I know doctors, engineers, programmers, a lawyer, and a teacher. Not one of them was 'resettled' here.

How about me? I was born in New York, grew up in Eastern Washington, came to Seattle to go to UW, and have stayed here since.

If you don't know, Cuba is the most racially-mixed country in the world. So not all Cubans look the same. Like other Cubans of mostly European ancestry, many people can't believe I am Hispanic. While many are mixed, they are also some pure African, Asian, or European Cubans. We got it all. You could be passing Cuban people on the street without knowing their ethnicity.

But when you meet a Cuban, ask his or her story. I'd be surprised to meet anyone who was a refugee or asylum-seeker. Your mileage may vary.

Actually, there are tons of Cubans who are here with refugee status; I've dealt with many myself. In fact BCIS has an entirely separate program for Cuban refugees; technically they're "parolees" (which just means someone who's part of a group that is considered persecuted for immigration purposes, but who has not proven that he/she personally suffered), but Cuban "parolees" are different from "parolees" from anywhere else in that they're treated as refugees for purposes of resettlement. From what I understand, there aren't too many arriving here these days (at least in OR, maybe in FL); most came in the 80's.

It sounds to me like you just move in different circles (you were born here, after all), or we're not talking about the same phenomenon.

[seapug]

i know they're not refugees but does anyone know where i could find out how many east indians, muslims and jews are in the seattle area. that sounds like a random group of people. i heard that in 2000 there were 25,000 indians in washington state but working on the eastside it seems like there would be much more by now.

[JiminyCricket II]

Could someone please explain to me how we have refugees from Russia?! Last I checked, there hasn't exactly been any wars, besides Chechnya (and it wasn't Russia that got blown up).

doesn't have to be war refugees. religious persecution is still a problem in Russia.

[JiminyCricket II]

In fact here's a story from the tri-cities that involves a Russian family as religious refugees who have been here for 10 years(and a couple of their kids are American citizens.) and another story about an English college girl who has been here most of her life and is also facing deportation. Kind of sad stories about the immigration system.

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/local/story/9234562p-9150199c.html

[bgwah]

Washington has been receiving more refugees from the former Soviet Union than any other state. Even more than California.

I wonder why.

[Urbanguy]

77e, I know this because i'm friends with someone who works with (helps them with employment, housing, etc) refugees/asylees/entrants, etc. Also my post is referring to the the first wave (or intial group(s)) that arrived in the NW. Prior to that they were pretty much non-existent in this area, it is a fact. If you read more into my post you will see that i've also mentioned: These resettlements have also open the door for their families, friends, etc to migrate here as well but not necessarily as refugees/asylees but also as legal permanent residents (immigrants).

Of course that does not include secondary and so on migrants which are those that have settled elsewhere first than moved to another location.

[Urbanguy]

bgwah, that's a relatively recent thing. Washington (+42,000 1983-2005) is in 3rd place behind NY (166,000 1983-2005) and California (+100,000 1983-2005) if you include the numbers since the program began in 1983. I'm not sure why it has been taking in more in recent years but it could be because of the sponsors/funding/charities, resettlement contractors or a combination of things?

The majority appear to be from the Ukraine for both WA and OR followed by Russia and Moldova. The relationship between the US and the Ukraine is quite interesting because the US wants to make the Ukraine a NATO partner while maintaining a refugee policy that basically implies that it is a repressive country.