Immigration Legal Services Frequently Asked Questions What is the difference between a refugee and an immigrant? How many refugees are there in the world? How many refugees are admitted to the United States each year? What countries do refugees come from? If the wars are over in Iraq and Bosnia why are people still coming from those countries? How many refugees does the Archdiocese of Detroit resettle in Detroit each year? How can I help? What is the difference between a refugee and an immigrant? Immigrants are people who choose to move to another country either to find work or join relatives, etc.  A refugee is a person who is forced to leave their home because of persecution due to race, ethnicity, or belonging to a particular political or social or religious group.   How many refugees are there in the world? There are more than 13,000,000 refugees in the world.  There are another 14,000,000 displaced people who are still in their own countries but have been forced to flee from their homes.   How many refugees are admitted to the United States each year? The authorization for 2002 is 70,000.  Due to delays in processing during the first quarter of the year it will be difficult to meet this number.  The number of refugees admitted in 2001 was just over 68,000 people. Top What countries do refugees come from? The majority of refugees admitted to the United States in the past few years have come from the following countries:  Russia (Jews and Pentecostal Christians), Iraq (Muslim and Chaldean), Bosnia, Somalia, Sudan, Cuba, Vietnam.  There are also smaller numbers from other African countries and Iran and Afghanistan.   If the wars are over in Iraq and Bosnia why are people still coming from those countries? Many refugees flee to neighboring countries after a conflict but the host country cannot keep them there.  If they cannot return to their own countries and cannot stay where they are, they are considered for resettlement to a third country, like the United States.  Some people have been out of their homes in Iraq since the end of the Gulf war and are still waiting for a chance to resettle in another country.   How many refugees does the Archdiocese of Detroit resettle in Detroit each year? The Refugee Resettlement program resettled approximately 300 refugees in 2001and expects to resettle a similar number in 2002.  Each year the number varies and has been as high as 600 in one year. Top How can I help? The Refugee Services program is looking for volunteers to help with transportation, furniture pick up and delivery, apartment set up, good used furniture, new household items and donations to assist with rent and security deposits.  Your donated items and time will help us "welcome the stranger".