With the current system it can take up to two years for a refugee to finally find asylum in the United States. These refugees who finally make it are part of a very small and lucky group. They require a referral from the United Nations who only refers the most vulnerable, about 1% of those defined by the UNHCR to be refugees. All asylum seekers must go through not one but three background checks in total and three fingerprint screenings. They must go through both the State Department and Homeland Security. This very arduous and excessive process allows only the most vulnerable and innocent refugees to enter the country and even this tiny portion of those in need have to wait in likely life threatening situations. We must lobby to get this process reduced so that more refugees can reach safe and humane conditions quickly. Women and children especially must be saved from threats like human trafficking. We can also help refugees resettle when they arrive in the U.S. through volunteering and providing organizations with proper funding so that they may better help refugees find employment and education opportunities so that they properly integrate into the community.
