Catholic Diocese of Arlington
Encourage and teach with patience

Refugee Flees Homeland

Due to “well-founded” fear for his/her life

(Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, Burma, Bhutan, etc.)

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United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees considers:

Repatriation (refugee to be sent back to mother country)

Nationalization (refugee to stay in the country to which they fled)

Third Country Asylum or Resettlement (less than l% of refugee population)

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U.S. Department of State/Department of Homeland Security

Conducts interview at a Migration Processing Center with refugee

to determine resettlement eligibility for resettlement and to for clearance to ensure that the individual does not pose a security risk to the United States

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Allocation to Domestic Resettlement Agency

United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, Office of Migration and Refugee Services

(USCCB MRS)

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Allocation to Resettlement Site

Catholic Diocese of Arlington, Office of Migration and Refugee Services (CDA MRS)

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Allocation to Field Office

CDA MRS Arlington, Alexandria, Fredericksburg or Chantilly Field Offices

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Refugee Notified of Resettlement Site in the U.S..

Refugee prepares to enter last stage of processing before arrival in U.S.:

medical examination, processing, other clearance checks.

If there are medical complications, they are put on medical hold

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Processing Completed

Flight Booked.  CDA MRS notified of the date of arrival.  Usually given 1-2 weeks notice.

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CDA MRS Prepares for Arrival of Refugee

CDA MRS Associate Director assigns caseworker to the case 

Volunteer Coordinator assigns mentors to the family

If present, co-sponsor is notified of pending arrival of refugee

Housing is secured, donated furniture and household items is collected and placed in house, kitchen is stocked with culturally appropriate food staples

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Refugee(s) Arrive in Northern Virginia

Caseworkers/sponsors greet refugee(s) at National or Dulles airport.

Bring them to their new home