Refugees

Abstract

Almost one-fifth of all immigrants to the United States since 1945 have been refugees. Despite the lack of a national policy, they have been admitted by a bewildering array of directives and special laws. The refugees came from widely varying ethnic backgrounds and experiences. They ranged from Latvians to Chinese to Cubans. In spite of their diversity, the refugees shared a common desire to find a land where they could rebuild their interrupted lives. They all faced the task of overcoming the same obstacle to integration in their adopted country. The major hurdles were to learn English, find appropriate employment, and control their bitter-sweet nostalgia for the land of their birth. The refugees came voluntarily and were helped by the voluntary efforts of the major national resettlement agencies and their constituents. In brief, the resettlement of these refugees represents an outstanding example of the willingness of Americans not only to accept but to assist newcomers regardless of their racial, ethnic, or religious backgrounds.