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The philosophy of the United States’ refugee resettlement program is built on the premise
that refugees will become self sufficient as soon as possible -- ideally through employment
although some refugees of course come to join family members who are already self sufficient.
We view self sufficiency and participation in local affairs as signs of integration into
our culture. The United States accepts most of its refugees through referrals from the
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. And within that criteria of international
law we accept the most vulnerable refugees. We have systems in place throughout our country
whereby those refugees most in need of our assistance can be welcomed, provided with
the assistance they need, and find security, safety and a future in the United States.
Certainly most refugees dream of returning to their home country. But for many refugees,
that is not possible. And for those refugees that can longer be protected in the region
offering initial protection, resettlement to a third country becomes sometimes not only
the best option but the only option. And the United States certainly encourages other countries
to continue to resettle refugees, to increase the numbers of refugees that they are able
to resettle in a given year, and of course we welcome new resettlement countries to our
community of this wonderful form of humanitarian assistance and protection.