Immigrant and Refugee Awareness

Who are refugees?

According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, refugees are people who have fled war, violence, conflict or persecution and have crossed an international border to find safety in another country.  Refugees arriving in the U.S. may experience disorientation, a sense of being overwhelmed, feelings of insecurity, sadness at leaving familiar things behind, grief, culture shock, identity and meaning loss, and fear of the unknown. However, despite the adversity, most refugees who make their home here are eager to engage in the challenges and opportunities that the U.S. offers in order to make a better life for themselves and their families.

Meeting refugees’ and immigrants’ basic needs during the core resettlement period and beyond, combined with cultural adjustment, social, medical, educational and employment services, are important steps in helping them to be successful in their new home.

Refugees in Indiana

According to a September 2021 Indianapolis Star article, immigrants made up about 5% of the state of Indiana’s population in 2018, and that number is expected to go up. According to the American Immigrant Council, immigrants from Mexico comprised 30% of that population, 9% were from India, 7% from China, 3% from Myanmar (Burma), and 3% from the Philippines. The U.S. Census projects that, by the year 2030, immigration will be the primary driver of population growth.

Per the article, immigrants in Indiana account for 7% of business owners in the state and 6% of business owners in Indianapolis. Additionally, a large portion of immigrant Hoosiers are reported to work in the manufacturing, educational services, health care, food services, and retail trade industries. Natalie Contreras, who authored the article, reported that immigrant Hoosiers have contributed billions of dollars to the state’s economy.

How FSSA serves Hoosier immigrants and refugees

The Division of Family Resources receives federal funds that can help assist refugees, asylum seekers, victims of human trafficking, and other immigrants through their Indiana Refugee Services program. DFR’s goal is to connect refugees to state administered programs which enable employment and economic stability. The program partners with two primary charitable organizations, Catholic Charities and Exodus Refugee, to help connect refugees to needed services, such as cash assistance (similar to TANF, or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families), medical assistance, housing, training in English as a second language, job development and training, and legal services.

According to Matthew Schomburg, assistant director of Refugee Services, between Catholic Charities and Exodus Refugee, there are five refugee resettlement sites in the state, including sites in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend and Bloomington. Schomburg said the three major ethnic groups Indiana serves are Burmese, Afghan and Congolese, but this list may change based on identified needs. He explained that each year, the U.S. State Department collaborates with the United Nations to determine refugee and asylum seeker needs. The U.S. State Department works with the president to determine the number of individuals the U.S. will accept for the year. The charitable organizations with which DFR partners submit a grant application each year to indicate their capacity to serve these individuals.

Helpful links:

• DFR’s Refugee Services website
• The Immigrant Welcome Center has an online resource database, a helpline with over 200 languages, and offers legal assistance.
• This IndyStar article focuses on what Indiana organizations are doing to help refugees make Indiana home.

How you can help

You can donate or volunteer at any of the following charitable organizations who support immigrants and refugees in Indiana:

• Exodus Refugee (Indianapolis and Bloomington)
• Catholic Charities Indianapolis (Indianapolis)
• Catholic Charities Fort Wayne (Fort Wayne and South Bend)
• The Welcome Network (Hammond)
• Burmese American Community Institute (Indianapolis)