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Kerby Anderson

Πe met with Kerby Anderson who is a TCU social work

alumni.

ΠShe is a case manager for the International Foster Care

program at Catholic Charities.

ΠShe currently works with 10 refugee minors and their foster

families.
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ho is a refugee?
ΠAs defined by the 1951 Refugee Convention, a refugee is
someone ´owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted
for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a
particular social group or political opinion, is outside the
country of his nationality, and is unable to, or owing to such
fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that
country.´

ΠA person becomes an asylum seeker once

they cross they step outside of their country.

ΠA person is considered an asylum seeker

until the refuge request has been accepted.
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The Refugee Experience

Π1. Once a person steps out of their country of origin, they

become asylum seekers. Most seek refuge in neighboring
countries.

Π2. Once there, they apply for refugee status through the

United Nation·s High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Π3. Next they relocate to a refugee camp and wait for their

next step, either returning home safely
or relocation to a 3rd country.
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A Look at a Refugee Camp

Πhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L6VJKYnefc
+
United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees

ΠEstablished in the 1950 Refugee Committee by the United

Nations General Assembly.

Œ The UN·s organization that oversees and protects the rights of

refugees.

ΠAssist asylum seekers with claiming refugee

status, finding sage refuge in another state,
returning home, and resettling as well as
working with stateless and displaced
persons.
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Refugee Status

ΠTo gain refugee status, the asylum seeker has to:

ΠInterview four different times with the UNHCR
ΠMeet the 3rd countries criteria for refugee resettlement
ΠEndure the long wait to an available slot

ΠU.S. Criteria for Refugee Admittance:

ΠMust be referred by the UNHCR or the U.S. Embassy
ΠInterview with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
ΠPass medical examinations and background check
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Refugees v. Displaced Persons

ΠUnlike refugees, displaced persons have not crossed

international borders.

ΠThey often seek refuge in a different part of their country.

ΠDespite this they still move for the same reasons as refugees.

ΠThere are roughly 12-15 million refugees and 25 million

displaced persons. Unlike refugees, displaced persons are
not recognized internationally.
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Third Country Resettlement

ΠAs defined by the UNHCR, refugee

resettlement involves the ´transfer of
refugees from a State in which they
have sought protection to a third State
that has agreed to admit them, as
refugees, with permanent residence
status.µ

ΠThere are 25 countries that have

resettlement programs for refugees.
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Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM)

ΠChildren who are separated from their parents when they

flee their country of origin and claim refugee status.

ΠUsually between the ages of 14-18.

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International Foster Care
ΠA specialized form of foster care in the United States.

ΠProvides foster care for unaccompanied minors who do not

have adult caregivers and allows minors to receive the full
range of assistance offered to all foster children.

ΠThese minors cannot be adopted by their foster parents due

to the chance that their biological parents can be found.

ΠServices provided by IFC include

tutoring, mentoring, independent
living skills training, cultural
activities, legal assistance, mental
health services, intensive case
management and education/ESL
classes.
+
Challenges Refugees Face

ΠNew Language- This is the starting point in helping refugees

adjust to a new society. This is primarily a hurdle for people
from African countries.

ΠNew Culture- Refugees struggle with culture shock and have

to adapt to a new set of norms, including different standards
of employment, wealth, hygiene, family roles, etc.

ΠPost Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)- Refugees leave

behind their communities, possessions, and livelihoods and
many witness various types of torture, isolation, and murder.
+
Skills Needed to ork with Refugees

ΠCultural Competency

ΠAn understanding of civil conflict around the world

(empathy)

ΠInterpersonal Skills

ΠFlexibility

ΠPatience
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Refugees in DF

ΠThe Congolese, Burmese- Chin, or Burmese-Karen make up

the largest refugee populations in DF.

ΠDF also has refugees from Burundi, Iraq, Afghanistan,

Sudan, Somalia, as well as EritreaO
+
]uestions?

Πe have a handout for you!

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A Refugee·s Story

Πhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYqrUBK2BM