The RefugeeProcessing and

Screening SystemHow refugee cases are processed andscreened before refugees are resettled

in the United States.

The United States has long been a global leader in resettling the world'smost vulnerable people. Since 1975, the United States has resettled morethan 3.2 million refugees fleeing from war and persecution.

In Fiscal Year 2016, the United States welcomed nearly 85,000 refugees.Roughly 72% of these refugees were women and children.

Refugee Resettlement

Registration and Data Collection

Refugees in need of protection apply for refugeeresettlement. Usually, refugees are referred by the UNrefugee agency (UNHCR), which collects initialdocumentation and biographical information.

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This information is transferred to a Department of State-funded Resettlement Support Center (RSC). The RSC conductsan in-depth interview with the applicant, enters the applicant'sdocumentation into the Department of State's WorldwideRefugee Admission Processing System (WRAPS), cross-references and verifies the data, and sends the informationnecessary to conduct a background check to other U.S.agencies.

U.S. national security agencies, including the NationalCounterterrorism Center, FBI, Department of Homeland Security(DHS), the Department of Defense, and the Department of State, aswell as the intelligence community, begin screening the applicantusing the data transmitted from the RSCs.

The screening checks for security threats, including connections toknown bad actors, and past immigration or criminal violations. ForSyrian applicants, DHS conducts an additional enhanced review.

Refugees are screened more carefully than any other type of travelerto the U.S.

Security Checks Begin02

DHS InterviewSecurity screening results from each agency are transmitted back to DHSand the State Department. Specially trained DHS officers review initialscreening results, conduct in-person interviews in the host country, andcollect biometric data from the applicants.

The DHS interview confirms the information collected from the previousinterviews conducted by the State Department’s RSCs. Additionalinterviews are conducted as new information arises. With each interview,data is verified in person and in WRAPS.

If new information emerges during the interview, the information isentered into WRAPS and additional security checks are conducted. Ifinconsistencies emerge at any point, the case is put on hold until theinconsistencies are resolved. Once all interviews and checks arecomplete, DHS adjudicates the case, the decision is entered into WRAPS,and the process continues.

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Fingerprints collected by U.S. government employees are stored in aDHS database and screened against:

The FBI biometric database;

The DHS biometric database, which includes watch-list information andprevious immigration encounters in the U.S. and overseas; and

The U.S. Department of Defense database, which includes fingerprintsobtained around the world.

These fingerprint screening results are reviewed by DHS. Cases with anyproblematic results are denied. Otherwise, the process continues.

Biometric Security Checks04

Applicants complete a class designed toteach them about American culture,

customs and practices.

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Cultural Orientationand Medical Check

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Cultural Orientation Medical Check

All refugees approved by DHS undergoa medical screening to identify diseases

of public health significance.

The results of the medical examinationare entered into WRAPS. If a case iscleared after the medical check, the

process continues.

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Every week, representativesfrom each of the nine domesticresettlement agencies meetand review applicantinformation transmitted fromthe RSCs via WRAPS todetermine where to resettleeach refugee.

Once these placementdecisions are made, theplacement is recorded inWRAPS, and the refugee isnotified of their destination.

The International Organization forMigration (IOM) books travel forthe refugees.

Prior to entry in the U.S.,applicants are subject toscreening from U.S. Customs andBorder Protection, and theTransportation SecurityAdministration's Secure FlightProgram.

Applicants with no securityconcerns continue their travel.

Assignment to Domestic ResettlementLocations and Travel

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ARRIVAL IN THE U.S.07

Applicants arrive in theUnited States, where

representatives from ninedomestic resettlement

agencies welcomerefugees at the airport

and begin the process ofhelping them settle in totheir new communities.

In Fiscal Year 2016, the U.S. welcomed 84,995refugees from around the world.