DEPARTMENT: Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Overview of Refugee Services in San Antonio
SUMMARY:
This item provides a briefing on available services for refugees resettling in San Antonio.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
A refugee is identified as a person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or a natural disaster. Since 1975, the United States has welcomed over 3 million refugees from all over the world. Refugees have built new lives, homes and communities in towns and cities across all 50 states. Each fiscal year, the President of the United States establishes an annual refugee admissions ceiling (70,000 for FY 2015), in consultation with Congress and the U.S. Department of State. Of the roughly 15 million refugees worldwide, 80% are women and children. To be admitted to the United States, a refugee must register with the United Nations, and be cleared by the Department of Homeland Security. Refugees are assigned to one of several national voluntary agencies in the United States. In Fiscal Year 2014, San Antonio received a total of 1,164 new refugees through this program.
The U.S. Department of State provides funding and works with Refugee Voluntary Agencies (VOLAGs) to place refugees throughout the United States. Once a refugee is assigned to a VOLAG and resettled in Texas, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission works with local organizations to provide a variety of services to the refugee depending on his or her individual needs. Catholic Charities Archdiocese of San Antonio serves as the designated refugee voluntary agency in San Antonio. Catholic Charities also receives funding through the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to provide case management beyond the initial six months of services funded through the U.S. State Department. Additional organizations, such as the Center for Refugee Services also provide sup...
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