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People entering the United States under the following immigration statuses:

For the purpose of this chapter, program participants with any of these listed statuses are referred to as “refugee”.

Immigration Status as Determined by Federal Immigration Authorities.	A Form of Humanitarian Protection Granted for the Following Reasons:
Refugee.	· Being forced to flee a home country because of persecution or well-founded fear of persecution and of special humanitarian concern. · The persecution must be based on the individual’s race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.
Asylum.	· Being in the US or at a port of entry and unable or unwilling to return to the country of nationality because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution. · The persecution must be based on the individual’s race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.
Special Immigrant Visa.	Facing persecution because of being an Iraqi or Afghani national who worked with U.S. government in those countries.
Cuban/Haitian Entrant.	Facing certain humanitarian crisis in Cuba or Haiti.
Vietnamese Amerasian.	Having been born in Vietnam after December 31, 1950, and before October 22, 1982, to a Vietnamese mother and a U.S. citizen father.
Victim of Trafficking Certification.	Being lured into forced labor or sexual slavery with promises of employment and better life in the United States.

Lawful Permanent Resident status (also known as Green Card or permanent residency status):

· Anyone coming to the United States with 1 of the immigration statuses listed above can apply for Lawful Permanent Resident status.

· This is the 1st step toward citizenship.

· Refugee services can continue to serve these individuals after Legal Permanent Resident status is granted.

People are eligible for refugee employment and social services for either one of the following time periods:

· Up to 5 years after arrival to the United States.

· Up to 5 years after an eligible immigration status is granted.

For more information, see:
Combined Manual 0011.03.18 (Non-Citizens - People Fleeing Persecution).
Combined Manual 0011.03.30 (Non-Citizens - Trafficking Victims).