Study Underscores Tension in Refugee Service Community

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) A new study on the status of refugees in Utah highlights a deep tension between the federally-funded agencies responsible to help those refugees and the cultural groups that have sprung up to fill the gaps. The report points specifically to the Utah Consortium of Minority Groups, which has published numerous studies criticizing the work of resettlement agencies.

"I have hundreds and hundreds of letters from refugees complaining of receiving empty apartments crawling with cockroaches," says UCMG President Buba Roth. "They say, 'Why did I even come here? Why was I not killed in the war (in my homeland)?'"

Claims like those rankle the three primary resettlement agencies responsible for placing as many as 700 refugees a year in housing, jobs and schools. Roth argues the International Rescue Committee, Catholic Community Services and Asian Association of Utah are not held accountable for the funding they receive to help refugees. Authors of the new study stop short of backing those accusations, but do urge better oversight of the groups, along with more funding.

The report also suggests that Roth's group may serve an important watchdog role for refugees. Though she speaks more bluntly, Roth says she agrees with the study's recommendations:

"Accountability, evaluation of the programs and involvement of the refugees in their own resettlement process," says Roth.

The study is called "Struggling at the Golden Door: International Refugees in Utah" and was published by the Center for Public Policy and Administration at the University of Utah.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom. Copyright 2008 KCPW