<span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: ‘Lucida Sans’;" class="R~sep~ACopyBody">What happens to all the refugees after they enter the U.S.? Are there jobs waiting for them, or are they put on government assistance? If they are put on government assistance, how long does this assistance last?</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">The Office of Refugee Resettlement is responsible for “helping all newly arriving refugee populations integrate into their new communities,” said Victoria Palmer, a spokeswoman with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families, which oversees the ORR.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">“From the date of arrival, through states and grantees, ORR provides short-term cash and medical assistance to new arrivals, as well as case-management services, English as a foreign language classes, and job readiness and employment services — all designed to facilitate refugees’ successful transition in the U.S., and help them to attain self-sufficiency,” Palmer wrote in an email.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">“Additionally, ORR funds support transitional and medical services for individuals not eligible for other public benefits for up to eight months after their arrival in the U.S.”?</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Refugees served in Louisiana by country of origin for fiscal year 2015, according to ORR data:</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">Afghanistan — 6.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">Bhutan — 3.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">Burundi — 4.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">Central African Republic — 1.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">Colombia — 11.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">Cuba — 7.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">Democratic Republic of the Congo — 16.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">Ecuador — 1.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">Eritrea — 8.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">Iraq — 28.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">Myanmar — 34.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">Somalia — 2.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">Sudan — 5.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">Syria — 8.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">Yemen — 1.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">Total — 135.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Refugee arrivals in Louisiana by country of origin for fiscal year 2014:</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">Afghanistan — 9.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">Colombia — 8.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">Cuba — 25.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">Democratic Republic of the Congo — 31.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">Eritrea — 5.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">Ethiopia — 5.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">Iraq — 70.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">Myanmar — 53.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">Pakistan — 1.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">Sudan — 4.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">Total — 211.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">“Despite experiencing unimaginable hardships, violence and oppression, refugees arrive in this country seeking opportunities, rather than handouts, to re-establish their self-sufficiency and to become productive, integrated members of their communities,” Palmer wrote.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">“HHS’ programs assist refugees and other vulnerable populations in doing just that.”</span>

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<span style="font-weight: bold;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">Online:</span> <span class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">www.acf.hhs.gov/orr.</span>

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<span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">The I</span><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">nform</span><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">er answers questions from rea</span><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">ders each Sunday, Monday a</span><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">nd Wednesday. It is re</span><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">searched and written by</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">Andrew Perzo</span><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">, an</span> <span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">American Press</span> <span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">staff wri</span><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">ter. To ask a question, call</span> <span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">494-409</span><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">8 and leave voice mail, or ema</span><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">il informer@americanpress.com.</span>