Publications
NAAPR Report: Resettled into Poverty
Since the passage of the 1980 Refugee Act, the main goal of the U.S. refugee resettlement program has been to move refugees into paid employment within 3-6 months after arrival to ensure self-sufficiency. This results in refugees frequently being placed in “survival jobs” characterized by low pay, high turn- over, and part time hours irrespective of the individual refugee’s professional background and English language ability. Within the refugee employment system and policy, self-sufficiency is narrowly defined as finding a job quickly and retaining employment for 90 days.
Resettled into Poverty: The Consequences of Rapid Employment for Refugees in Washington State is an in-depth report on the perspectives and experiences of refugees from nine countries. It uses quantitative data to highlight the shortcomings in policy and practice, followed by a bold call to action and recommendations centering the voices of refugees.