IMMIGRANTS VS. REFUGEES
What is the difference between immigrants and refugees? While people from both groups eventually become legal residents and then U.S. citizens, the main difference is in the way they arrived in the United States.
Refugees are people who are forced to flee their home country due to persecution, violence, and life threatening situations. In order to come to the U.S. as a refugees, they must be considered and approved by the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). (Learn more about that process here.) One year after their admission to the United States, new-comers are required to apply for a green card, which will grant them permanent residency. They will become eligible for citizenship after 5 years of residency. Once they are received by the primary resettlement community, the refugees are then free to move to the state and city of their choice, often leaving urban centers in favor of smaller communities such as Aberdeen. According to the UN Refugee Agency, refugees should receive at least the same rights and basic help as any other foreigner who is a legal resident, including freedom of thought, of movement, and freedom from torture and degrading treatment. At the same time, refugees are required to respect the laws and regulations of their country of asylum.
Immigrants are people who choose to resettle to another country for various reasons such as work, marriage or family reunification. Some people move so they can live in a country with a more promising political environment. This could mean having more rights, accessing better healthcare, giving children a higher-quality education, or having a more fulfilling professional life. Some people move to get closer to family and loved ones. The United States has a legal process for immigrants to seek legal residency (Learn more about that here.), starting from applying for the right type of visa, respecting the terms of this visa for the entire time, then applying to become a permanent residents and then eventually applying for US citizenship. This process of becoming a naturalized citizen can take anywhere from a year to more than a decade.
Refugees are people who are forced to flee their home country due to persecution, violence, and life threatening situations. In order to come to the U.S. as a refugees, they must be considered and approved by the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). (Learn more about that process here.) One year after their admission to the United States, new-comers are required to apply for a green card, which will grant them permanent residency. They will become eligible for citizenship after 5 years of residency. Once they are received by the primary resettlement community, the refugees are then free to move to the state and city of their choice, often leaving urban centers in favor of smaller communities such as Aberdeen. According to the UN Refugee Agency, refugees should receive at least the same rights and basic help as any other foreigner who is a legal resident, including freedom of thought, of movement, and freedom from torture and degrading treatment. At the same time, refugees are required to respect the laws and regulations of their country of asylum.
Immigrants are people who choose to resettle to another country for various reasons such as work, marriage or family reunification. Some people move so they can live in a country with a more promising political environment. This could mean having more rights, accessing better healthcare, giving children a higher-quality education, or having a more fulfilling professional life. Some people move to get closer to family and loved ones. The United States has a legal process for immigrants to seek legal residency (Learn more about that here.), starting from applying for the right type of visa, respecting the terms of this visa for the entire time, then applying to become a permanent residents and then eventually applying for US citizenship. This process of becoming a naturalized citizen can take anywhere from a year to more than a decade.
WHY THE ABERDEEN AREA?
People from all walks of life are drawn to Aberdeen for the quality of life and the many opportunities the community offers. The Aberdeen area has a long history that includes Native American tribes as well as early settlers such as Germans from Russia and Norwegians.
Presently, people from over 50 countries and many faiths have chosen to come here for better education and employment opportunities and/or to join family members. Aberdeen's newest "settlers" are primarily Karen, Somalian, and Latino.
Many students from China, South Korea and Saudi Arabia are here for the duration of their studies at one of the two city's colleges. Most often they will return to their home country and some will transfer to an urban area to work and eventually start the immigration process. A few also find love and end up settling in Aberdeen.
Presently, people from over 50 countries and many faiths have chosen to come here for better education and employment opportunities and/or to join family members. Aberdeen's newest "settlers" are primarily Karen, Somalian, and Latino.
Many students from China, South Korea and Saudi Arabia are here for the duration of their studies at one of the two city's colleges. Most often they will return to their home country and some will transfer to an urban area to work and eventually start the immigration process. A few also find love and end up settling in Aberdeen.