| Fact Sheet Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration Washington, DC December 18, 2007 Refugee Admissions Reception and Placement ProgramEach refugee approved for admission to the United States is sponsored by one of ten resettlement agencies participating in the Refugee Admissions Reception and Placement (R&P) Program under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. State Department. The sponsoring agency is responsible for placing refugees with one of its affiliated offices and for providing initial services, which include housing; essential furnishings; food; clothing; community orientation; and referral to other social, medical and employment services for the refugees’ first 30 - 90 days in the United States. There are some 350 affiliated reception and placement offices across the United States. The program is a public-private partnership, which anticipates that sponsoring agencies will contribute significant cash and/or in-kind resources to supplement U.S. Government funding for the program. Although refugees are eligible for public assistance when they first arrive, the U.S. Government emphasizes early economic self-sufficiency through employment to speed their integration into American society. During the refugees’ initial transition period, programs funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement of the Department of Health and Human Services, and administered either by the States or resettlement agencies provide cash and medical assistance, employment services, English-language training, and other support services. Refugees are admitted to the United States by the Department of Homeland Security. After 12 months of residency, refugees are required to apply for adjustment of status to that of permanent resident alien. After five years in the United States, refugees may apply for citizenship. The agencies participating in the Refugee Admissions Reception and Placement Program in FY2008 are:
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