Afghan and Iraqi special immigrants : more information on their resettlement outcomes would be beneficial : report to congressional requesters.

Format:

Book

Government document

Author/Creator:

United States. Government Accountability Office, author, issuing body.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

United States. Department of State--Rules and practice--Evaluation.

United States.

United States. Department of Health and Human Services--Rules and practice--Evaluation.

United States. Department of Health and Human Services.

United States. Department of State.

United States--Emigration and immigration.

Afghans--United States--Economic conditions--21st century--Evaluation.

Afghans.

Iraqis--United States--Economic conditions--21st century--Evaluation.

Iraqis.

Visas--Government policy--United States--Evaluation.

Visas.

Immigrants--Services for--United States.

Immigrants.

Immigrants--Government policy--United States.

Immigrants--Services for.

Immigrants--Government policy.

Emigration and immigration.

Genre:

Online resources.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (ii, 55 pages) : color illustrations, color maps

Place of Publication:

[Washington, D.C.] : United States Government Accountability Office, 2018.

Summary:

Since fiscal year 2011, about 13,000 Afghan and Iraqi nationals (excluding family members) have resettled in the United States under special immigrant visas (SIV), but limited data on their outcomes are available from the Department of State (State) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). State collects data on SIV holders' resettlement outcomes once--90 days after they arrive. GAO's analysis of State's data from October 2010 through December 2016 showed that the majority of principal SIV holders--those who worked for the U.S. government--were unemployed at 90 days, including those reporting high levels of education and spoken English. Separately, HHS collects data on about one-third of resettled SIV holders (those in one HHS grant program). According to HHS's fiscal year 2016 data (the only year available), most of these SIV holders were employed and not receiving cash assistance 6 months after arrival; however, these data are not representative of all SIV holders. GAO did not identify any outcome data for SIV holders beyond 6 months after arrival. HHS annually surveys refugees up to 5 years after arrival, but does not do so for SIV holders. However, it has occasionally used its survey of refugees to analyze selected groups at no additional reported cost. Such analysis could provide valuable information on whether SIV holders have achieved longer-term assimilation, consistent with HHS' mission and program goals.

Contents:

Background.

Available data provide limited information on SIV holders' short-term outcomes and no information on long-term outcomes.

Reported challenges include the capacity of resettlement agencies in certain locations, barriers to skilled employment, and housing.

State and HHS have taken steps to address SIV holders' issues, although lack of communication may hamper efforts

Conclusions.

Recommendations for executive action.

Agency comments and our evaluation.

Appendices.

Notes:

"February 2018."

"GAO-18-107."

Includes bibliographical references.

Online resource, PDF version; title from cover (GAO, viewed March 26, 2018).

OCLC:

1029557012