Why does the United States Have A Refugee Program?
Every year millions of people around the world are displaced by war, and civil and political unrest. Throughout its history, the United States has maintained a rich and vibrant tradition of offering refuge to those who have suffered or who fear persecution. United States is one of 23 countries that have refugee programs and that resettle refugees. In addition, there are 43 countries in the world that temporary host refugees (see the website of the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees always tries to repatriate refugees displaced by wars to their native countries. If this solution is not feasible then UNHCR is trying to find a permanent solution in the first country of asylum. If the first country of asylum is not willing or not able to find a permanent solution for the refugee then the UNHCR refers the person to those countries who have refugee resettlement programs.
