Vickerstaff Law Office

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Local: 502-442-2039 Toll-Free: 888-832-2944
Vickerstaff Law Office

Call For An Initial Consultation

Local: 502-442-2039
Toll-Free: 888-832-2944

Louisville, Kentucky, Immigration Lawyer

Louisville, Kentucky, Immigration Lawyer

Asylum and the outlook for Kentucky refugees

On Behalf of | Aug 18, 2017 | asylum

The current issues that refugees face when arriving to the United States can seem endless, as many Americans do not consider the country responsible for taking in foreign families experiencing danger and distress in their own countries. Fortunately, Kentucky is one of the leading states accepting refugees in search of better lives. The process of asylum arrangements, however, can be extremely complex.

WKYT News reported that, in recent years, Kentucky has accepted countless refugees into the state. Whether from political unrest, economic oppression or both, these refugees have sought asylum across the state of Kentucky. In 2012, Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Inc. helped settle 437 people, and that number has only climbed. The Ministries spend roughly $1,100 per person to get them settled, and the first step in helping refugees is to find homes for families and assist them with self-sufficiency. From there, refugees may find jobs, medical assistance and, of course, freedom.

The National Resettlement Agencies houses Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Inc., a non-profit organization that is dedicated to providing resettlement services to refugees through faith- and agency-based co-sponsorship. The KRM points out that one in every 133 people has been driven from their home, resulting in the extreme demand for asylum around the world. If refugee status is granted and refugees request resettlement in the United States, applicants may be asked to go through a series of interviews, multiple security checks and medical exams. The KRM refers to the U.S. Department of State’s estimate of the average processing time for admission, which can range anywhere between 18-24 months.