How are refugees “processed” for resettlement?
Non-governmental processing agencies carry out most of the preparation casework for INS interviews, in cooperation with U.S. Embassy officials. These agencies interview applicants, help prepare paperwork for INS, and arrange medical examinations and background checks (for security purposes) for those refugees approved by INS. Following INS approval, the processing agency also asks for the names and addresses of any relatives in the U.S., for details on the person’s work history and job skills, and on any special educational or medical needs of the refugee and accompanying family members in order to determine the best resettlement arrangements for the refugee. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) generally arranges transportation to the U.S. on a loan basis. Refugees are expected to repay the cost of their transportation once they are established in the U.S. Refugees or their relatives may, of course, pay their own transportation costs in advance. What family members may a
