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Fiscal Year 2008: U.S. Refugee Processing Priorities
(October 1, 2007 to September 30, 2008)

The categories and numbers of refugees who may apply for admission to the U.S. through the U.S. Refugee Program are determined each year by the President of the United States after consultation with the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Congress.  These categories, otherwise known as ‘priorities,’ are defined below, and are subject to change each year.

Refugee Priorities for Consideration for the U.S. Refugee Program

Priority 1: Individual Referrals

Priority 1 allows consideration of refugee claims from persons of any nationality, in any location, for whom resettlement appears to be the appropriate durable solution. Priority 1 cases are identified and referred to the program by UNHCR, a U.S. embassy, or a designated NGO.

Priority 2: Group Referrals

Priority 2 includes specific groups (within certain nationalities, clans or ethnic groups, sometimes in specified locations) identified by the Department of State in consultation with DHS/USCIS, NGOs, UNHCR, and other experts as in need of resettlement. Some Priority 2 groups are processed in their country of origin.

In country processing is limited to: Former Soviet Union (FSB), Cuba, and Vietnam. Out of country processing is limited to: Ethnic Minorities and others from Burma in camps in Thailand, Ethnic Minorities and others from Burma in Malaysia, Burundians in Tanzania, Bhutanese in Nepal, Iranian Religious Minorities, Sudanese Darfurians in Iraq.

Priority 3: Family Reunification

This priority extends to refugees who have close relatives in the U.S.  It includes spouses, unmarried children under 21 years of age, and parents of persons who entered the U.S. as refugees or asylees. To qualify for access under Priority 3, an applicant must be outside of his or her country of origin, have a properly filed Affidavit of Relationship (AOR) and be cleared for onward processing by the Department of Homeland Security.

An Affidavit of Relationship (AOR) may be filed on the behalf of qualified refugees from the following countries: Afghanistan, Burma, Burundi, Colombia, Congo (Brazzaville), Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC/Kinshasa), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, and Uzbekistan.

The Affidavit of Relationship (AOR)

The Affidavit of Relationship is the main document or form used to reunite refugees and asylees with close relatives who are refugees outside the U.S.  The AOR records information about family relationships and must be completed in order to begin the application process for relatives who may be eligible to enter the U.S. as refugees through the U.S. Refugee Program.  Once it is filed and processed, the refugee located overseas may be called for an interview with a Refugee Officer from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  The Refugee Officer determines if s/he is eligible for refugee status; that is whether the individual has suffered past persecution or has a well-founded fear of persecution in his/her country of origin based upon race, religion, nationality, political opinion and/or membership in a particular social group.  Once an individual is approved, s/he is required to undergo a medical exam to determine if any medical condition exists which could require special treatment or a waiver before entering the U.S.  If there is no such medical condition, the applicant will continue with the administrative process prior to U.S. entry.

Who can file an AOR?

•  Refugees

• Asylees

• Lawful Permanent Residents who originally had refugee or asylum status

• U.S. citizens (in some cases) who originally had refugee or asylum status

For whom can you file an AOR?

• Spouse (husband/wife); and/or

• Parents; and/or

• Unmarried children under 21 years old.

Note:  If the principal applicant (qualifying relative) is accompanied by unmarried children under 21 years old, they may be included in the application.      

Can more than one AOR be filed?

Yes, it is possible that more than one AOR may be filed by different U.S. based relatives on behalf of refugees overseas.  However, the U.S. government will have access to and review all AORs submitted on behalf of an individual.  Inconsistencies between applications can result in the AOR being disqualified.

What if my AOR has been rejected by the U.S. government?

You may submit another AOR.  However, the U.S. government will have access to and review all AORs submitted on behalf of an individual.  Inconsistencies between applications can result in the AOR being disqualified.

Can I change my AOR once it is filed?

No, but you may change your address or the address of the refugee.

What if I need help completing and/or submitting an AOR?

Contact the IRC Immigration Department at 619-641-7510 ext. 222 or another refugee resettlement agency.

  Links:                                                  

Questions and Answers from the USCIS regarding refugee processing

Refugee Processing Center (Department of State)

  Resource:                                     
 
Access to the US Refugee Admissions Program. A paper by the Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (September 2006)  provides an overview of how potential applicants obtain access to the USRAP. It defines the worldwide priority system and discusses how cases in each priority should be prepared for referral.