What's happening in Refugee Resettlement
Employment Authorization Document Renewal for Certain Applicants Permanently Increased
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a final rulethat will permanently increase the automatic extension period of employment authorization and documentation which was previously “up to 180 days”, to “up to 540 days” from the expiration date stated on expiring Employment Authorization Documents (Forms I-766 or EADs) for certain renewal applicants who have timely filed Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization.
DHS finalized the temporary rule published in the Federal Register on April 8, 2024. The final rule reduces the likelihood that eligible renewal EAD applicants will experience a lapse in employment authorization or employment authorization documentation while USCIS processes their renewal applications. Lapses in employment authorization and documentation impact noncitizens, their families, their employers, and by extension, the public at large.
The automatic extension period for eligible renewal EAD applications that were pending or filed on or after May 4, 2022, is up to 540 days. An EAD that shows expired on its face is considered unexpired when combined with a Form I-797C receipt notice indicating a timely filed EAD renewal application, assuming all other automatic extension requirements are met. Individuals and their employers may use the Automatic Extension Eligibility Calculator to confirm eligibility requirements and determine an auto-extended EAD expiration date.
This final rule will be effective on January 10, 2025, 30 days after the date of publication in the Federal Register.
For more information, visit the updates section on the USCIS website.
Switchboard published Haiti and Haitian Migrant Backgrounder
The Switchboard backgrounder Understanding Haiti and the Journeys of Haitian Migrants provides information about recent Haitian history, current country conditions, displacement challenges, and the experiences of Haitian nationals in the United States and other parts of the Americas. It helps U.S. resettlement agencies (RAs), local affiliates, service providers, and practitioners better understand and support Haitian migrants, newcomers, and refugees in the United States.
As Haitian newcomers continue to arrive in Arizona, there is an opportunity for service providers to be culturally responsive and understand more about the heritage of Haitians. Understanding Haiti and the Journey of Haitian Migrants is a great resource and it is important to note that this document simplifies complex historical and traumatic events and does not fully represent all Haitians’ needs, experiences, and challenges. Individual experiences, demands, and needs may differ and should receive full consideration.
Switchboard published CUba and Cuban Migrant Backgrounder
As Cuban newcomers continue to arrive, resources are available to help providers understand the cultural heritage of Cuban newcomers and migrants and provide them with culturally responsive services.
One resource is Cuba from the Roots: A Backgrounder for Service Providers Working with Cuban Newcomers which informs about recent Cuban history, current country conditions, displacement challenges, and the experiences of Cuban nationals in the United States and other parts of the Americas. It aims to help U.S. resettlement agencies (RAS), local affiliates, service providers, and practitioners better understand and support Cuban migrants, newcomers, and refugees in the United States.
Note that the document simplifies complex historical and traumatic events and does not fully represent all Cubans’ needs, experiences, and challenges. Individual experiences, demands, and needs may differ and should receive full consideration.
These resources are based on research papers, news articles, and reports from specialized organizations. The citations list the references used in the preparation of both resources.
Office of Refugee Resettlement Revision to Policy Letter 21-06
On December 20, 2024, the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) revised the Policy Letter 21-06. The revisions include clarification for the Family Self-Sufficiency Plans (FSSP).
Updates include:
- Changing language from 'employability services' to 'employment services'
- If a member of the employment service participant’s family who is not enrolled in employment services is unwilling to be included in the participant’s FSSP, the agency providing the FSSP may move forward without that individual’s inclusion.
- Changed from “45 CFR § 400.154” to “45 CFR § 400.154(a)”
- Added that an FSSP is not required for an individual client enrolled only in services described in 45 CFR §400.154 (b)-(k).
To read the full ORR Policy including all the current changes, please visit the ORR website. Additional policy updates or clarifications can be reviewed here.
Office of Refugee Resettlement Dual Enrollment Involving ORR-Funded Refugee Programs
The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) released two updates: Policy Letters (PL) 25-02: Dual Enrollment Involving ORR-Funded Refugee Programs and Dear Colleague Letter 25-06: Examples of Dual Enrollment Involving ORR-Funded Refugee Programs.
These updates outline individuals' eligibility for Refugee Resettlement Program benefits from multiple ORR-funded programs or a combination of ORR-funded and non-ORR-funded programs for service provision during the same period.
- Eligibility determination must be conducted and documented for each ORR program involved;
- Individuals are not eligible to receive the same service through more than one program (“duplication of services”); and
- Agencies cannot charge a service for an individual to more than one ORR program.
ORR emphasizes the importance of regular communication among State Refugee Coordinators and State Refugee Health Coordinators, ORR-funded service providers, refugee resettlement agencies, and other partners. It is critical for all partners to share information as allowable, coordinate services, and avoid duplication of services or efforts.
For more information about ORR Policy Letters and/or Dear Colleague Letters, please visit the Office of Refugee Resettlement website.
The Arizona Refugee Resettlement Program offers Refugee 101 Training for individuals and organizations. This training provides a high-level overview of the history of refugee resettlement, resettlement from a global to a local view, and the key agencies involved in resettlement. The Arizona Refugee Resettlement Program will be offering Quarterly Refugee 101 Training and group training of employees for interested organizations.
The following dates are available for the Quarterly Refugee 101 training:
- Friday, February 14, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
- Friday, May 9, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
- Friday, August 8, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
- Friday, November 14, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
If you are interested in participating in one of the virtual prescheduled Refugee 101 Trainings offered or request training for your team/organization, please email RRP at RRP@azdes.gov.
The Arizona Refugee Resettlement Program will host its upcoming Lunch and Learn on Friday, January 31, 2025 (12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.). This month will focus on Human Trafficking Awareness Month. RRP will be hosting A New Life Center and the International Rescue Committee (IRC).
New Life Center creates customized support plans for those impacted by domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking by assessing their individual needs. Their services look different for every person and they never make assumptions about what someone may or may not need to find healing and stability. Survivors, either at the emergency shelter or in a safe living situation, are able to access trained and dedicated staff who assist with advocacy and case management, trauma treatment, group and individual therapy, child care, legal services, transportation assistance, and much more.
The International Rescue Committee provides opportunities for refugees, asylees, victims of human trafficking, survivors of torture, and other immigrants to thrive in America. Each year, thousands of people, forced to flee violence and persecution, are welcomed by the people of the United States into the safety and freedom of America. IRC's anti-trafficking program serves victims and survivors of human trafficking by providing protection, comprehensive case management, advocacy, and education.
If interested in attending, please add the Google Calendar invite to your calendar. If you are unable to add the calendar invite, please reach out to RRP@azdes.gov for more details.
RRP will be hosting Lunch and Learns each month. This event will allow agencies and organizations to share the services and assistance offered to refugees and other ORR-eligible populations. If you are interested in signing up to be a presenter, please use the link below.
For more information about RRP, please visit the DES website.
For any questions, please reach out to the general RRP email at RRP@azdes.gov.
If you have feedback on how we can improve the monthly newsletter, please feel free to complete the survey below.
The Arizona Refugee Resettlement Program (RRP) Monthly Newsletter provides you access to up-to-date monthly arrival numbers and recent changes in refugee resettlement. If you are interested in receiving these updates please sign up for the RRP email list here.
Credits:
Created with an image by Luis - "Monument Valley region of the Colorado Plateau with vast sandstone buttes on the Arizona–Utah border, in a Navajo Nation Reservation. USA"