12-03-2019 Refugee ResettlementCity’s Budget Update
Local Consent for Refugee Resettlement
December 3, 2019 City Council Meeting
Executive Order 13888
On September 26, 2019, President Trump issued “Executive Order on Enhancing State and Local Involvement in Refugee Resettlement (EO 13888),” which requires that states and local governments
provide written consent authorizing the initial resettlement of refugees into their respective communities. The EO deferred to the Departments of State (DOS) and Health and Human Services
(HHS) to develop and implement a process for obtaining consent for initial resettlement.
Executive Order 13888, cont.
Washington State DSHS has requested that the Mayor send a letter to the U.S. Department of State giving written local consent for refugee resettlement within the City.
Governor Inslee has already consented for the state.
There are no programs that operate with a focus to settle refugees particularly in Federal Way, but at any given time an estimated 50-100 individuals in the City receive federal aid
under resettlement programs.
Services Offered
ORR Resettlement Services and Populations –
From the date of arrival, the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), provides:
Time-limited cash and medical assistance to refugees and all other eligible populations. Currently, ORR provides cash and medical assistance for up to eight months, and social services
for up to 60 months, assisting a total eligible population of almost 500,000 individuals across the country.
Through its cross-sector national network of service providers, ORR also offers case management, English language training, job readiness, employment, and other specialized support services
to facilitate refugee self-sufficiency and integration.
Services Offered, cont.
Eligible populations include refugees, asylees, Cuban and Haitian entrants, certain Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders, victims of human trafficking, and Amerasians whose date of arrival,
or eligibility, is within the previous five years.
In the coming year, ORR is projecting to assist:
18,000 refugees as indicated in the FY 2020 Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions
45,000 asylees
16,000 Cuban and Haitian entrants
10,000 SIVs, and approximately
1,000 victims of trafficking.
Options Considered
Grant local consent for refugee resettlement; or
Decline to take action and give direction to staff
Questions?