Level of Education of Students Involved

Undergraduate

Faculty Sponsor

James Old

College

Arts and Sciences

Discipline(s)

Political Science, International Relations

ORCID Identifier(s)

0009-0007-1972-1376

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Symposium Date

Spring 4-25-2024

Abstract

Refugee policy in the United States is decentralized, providing individual states with the power to implement different policies with various levels of private and government assistance. Previous research analyzing state policy has often focused on one policy and providing suggestions for improvement. Using the 2020 data provided from the Office of Refugee Resettlement, this study looks to provide a comprehensive review of how government or private assistance influences refugee labor force participation across the United States. The findings are then used to provide recommendations for policy makers, based on the three policies already offered in the United States — State-Administered Programs, Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), and Privately Administered Programs (also known as Replacement Designee). The key findings include that, while both government assistance and private assistance are positively correlated to labor force participation, only private assistance is significantly correlated. Keeping in mind certain limitations and factors not accounted for in this study, this paper recommends States choose a policy option that provides the most access to private assistance, as well as making more assistance available to the wider refugee population.

Biographical Information about Author(s)

Erin Bigler is a Senior International Relations major and Spanish minor. At Valparaiso University, she is involved in Active Minds, Fraternity Sorority Life, and Christ College. After she graduates, she plans to participate in a Fulbright Grant for a year, then pursue her JD and specialize in International Humanitarian Law.

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