Refugee Resettlement

Our national office collaborates with the U.S. Department of State to assign refugees for resettlement services through the International Institute of Minnesota. This happens after the United States government has thoroughly vetted and approved each applicant for resettlement. We are only able to provide resettlement services to clients assigned to us.

The process of resettlement takes at least two years once the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) identifies refugees from around the world for resettlement. Most refugees, however, have waited many years and sometimes decades before this step. Once a refugee is recommended to the U.S. for resettlement, the U.S. government conducts a thorough vetting of each applicant. This process takes between 12 and 24 months and includes background checks, security clearance screenings, interviews and medical screenings.

As refugees await their flight to Minnesota, the team at the International Institute of Minnesota gets to work with our community partners, volunteers and generous donors. These partnerships and their generous donations make it possible for us to find and furnish housing as well as fill refrigerators with culturally appropriate welcome groceries.