Refugee Integration in the United States

Refugee Integration in the United States analyzes levels of economic and social integration of refugees over time through the study of Somali, Burmese, Hmong and Bosnian refugee groups. The report examines data from the American Community Survey and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and finds that refugees are integrating well into their new communities as evidenced by growing rates of labor force participation, business and home ownership, naturalization and English language acquisition. For example, the homeownership rate for Bosnian refugees rose from 57 percent to 72 percent after 10 years' residence in the United States, exceeding the average homeownership rate of the U.S.-born population. Burmese refugee men saw their wages nearly double after 10 years in the U.S. The significant impact of these refugee groups on the economic revitalization of metropolitan areas such as St. Louis and Minneapolis is a clear sign of their successful integration. To ensure that refugees can reach their full economic and social potential to contribute to community improvements and the growth of the U.S. economy, the authors recommend that federal, state and local governments invest in refugee integration efforts. (Jasmina Popaja for The Immigrant Learning Center Public Education Institute)

Download it here or view it online.