Who are ‘Newcomers’?

Newcomers are individuals who have recently arrived in our community, often after enduring years of displacement, violence, and uncertainty — a reality reflected in the staggering statistic from UNHCR, which reported that over 117 million people were forcibly displaced from their homes by the end of 2023.

In the last five years alone, Richmond, Virginia has welcomed over 3,500 refugees from countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bhutan, Myanmar, and many more.

Newcomers come from diverse backgrounds, with a wide range of interests, skills, and experiences. Many have faced repeated loss before arriving here — only to find themselves starting over once again.

Refugees

The United Nations defines a refugee as someone who has been forced to flee their country because of war, violence, or persecution due to their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political views.

People who cross an international border in order to seek safety may register as refugees by presenting themselves at a UNHCR center and declaring their well-founded fear of returning to their country. Applying for refugee status involves a long series of interviews and an even longer period of waiting.

The rigorous U.S. refugee vetting process takes a minimum of two years and requires clearance from 8 different government departments, 5 separate security databases, 6 background checks, and 3 in-person interviews. At least 80% of refugees are displaced for 5 years or more. Fewer than 1% of refugee applicants will be resettled in a third country, and the criteria is vulnerability.

Refugees are granted protection by international law. People who are resettled in the U.S. as refugees are eligible to apply for permanent residency after a year, with the goal of applying for citizenship after 5 years. The refugee resettlement program is intended to be a path to citizenship.

Special Immigrants

People from Afghanistan and Iraq who worked in support of the U.S. military in those countries and whose lives were endangered as a result may apply for a Special Immigrant Visa. The SIV application process involves a series of interviews and submission of many documents, but it is generally shorter than the refugee vetting process because of previous government clearances.

SIV holders are granted permanent residency upon arrival in the U.S. and receive the same protections and benefits as refugees.

Asylum Seekers

Many people flee life-threatening situations in their home countries but are unable to register for refugee status before coming here to request protection. Seeking asylum is a legal, human right established by the United Nations in 1951 and upheld by the U.S. Refugee Act of 1980.

According to U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services, anyone in the United States may apply for asylum, regardless of their country of origin or current immigration status. Applications must be filed within one year of arrival to the United States.

Once asylum has been granted, asylees are eligible to apply for permanent residency after one year and citizenship after 4 years.

Other Immigrants

Other immigrant newcomers may not have formal refugee status but have often fled similar situations in their home countries. Once here, these individuals and families face comparable barriers to integration with access to fewer government and community resources for support.