The Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM) program, administered by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), stands as a crucial safety net for some of the world’s most vulnerable children. These are young individuals who have been forced to flee their homes due to persecution, violence, or abuse, arriving in the United States without a parent or legal guardian. This specialized foster care program bridges the gap between child welfare and refugee resettlement, offering a unique approach to care that addresses the specific needs of minors with traumatic migration experiences.
The URM program operates through partnerships with state and local providers, ensuring unaccompanied refugee minors and other special youth populations receive comprehensive care and essential services within the United States. By establishing legal authority in place of absent parents, the program ensures these minors benefit from the full spectrum of foster care assistance available within each state. ORR provides vital support to states in administering and overseeing the program, guaranteeing adherence to both program and financial requirements.
Community involvement is the cornerstone of the URM program. Foster parents, mentors, former URM participants, volunteers, faith-based leaders, ethnic community figures, educators, business owners, and countless others play critical roles in supporting these young individuals as they rebuild their lives.
Who is Eligible for the URM Foster Care Program?
Initially designed for unaccompanied minors holding refugee status identified overseas, the URM program’s eligibility has broadened over time through Congressional expansions. Today, the program extends its protective umbrella to include:
- Refugees
- Asylees
- Cuban and Haitian entrants
- Certain Minors with Special Immigrant Juvenile classification or Status
- Victims of Human Trafficking
- U Status recipients
- Paroled Unaccompanied Afghan Minors
- Paroled Unaccompanied Ukrainian Minors
While refugees referred by the U.S. Department of State are automatically considered, all other potentially eligible minors, including those under the ORR’s Unaccompanied Alien Children Bureau, must navigate an application process for program placement and services. ORR ultimately determines program entry based on the minor’s best interests and the availability of suitable placement options.
Comprehensive Services Provided to Unaccompanied Minors
The URM program prioritizes the safety, educational advancement, overall well-being, and eventual self-sufficiency of each minor under its care. Services are meticulously designed to align with both state child welfare mandates and ORR regulations and policies. The support provided can encompass:
- Financial assistance for housing, food, clothing, and basic necessities
- Intensive case management by dedicated social workers
- English language instruction and educational support
- Preparation for independent living
- Educational Training Vouchers to further academic pursuits
- Access to health, dental, and mental health care services
- Vocational training and career development guidance
- Cultural orientation and social integration assistance
- Preservation of cultural and religious heritage
- Safety planning to ensure their security
- Coordination of immigration-related legal aid
- Family tracing and reunification efforts
Family Reunification and Long-Term Foster Care
Reuniting minors with their parents or other appropriate adult relatives is a primary goal of the URM program, whenever feasible and safe. However, in cases where parents are deceased, untraceable, or deemed unsuitable due to abuse or neglect concerns, long-term foster care placements are arranged. Placement options are diverse, including nurturing foster homes, group homes, supervised independent living arrangements, and residential treatment facilities, tailored to the individual needs of each child.
Key Providers Supporting Unaccompanied Refugee Minors
Two national agencies, Global Refuge (formerly LIRS) and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, play a vital role in placement services for all eligible populations within the URM program. These agencies collaborate closely with local URM providers to coordinate placements effectively.
Local providers deliver direct services to unaccompanied refugee minors in various locations across the United States, including cities in Arizona, California, Colorado, Washington D.C., Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, North Dakota, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington state.
Funding the URM Program
The URM program’s financial foundation rests upon ORR’s Cash and Medical Assistance grants, channeled to specific states through State Refugee Coordinators’ offices. These state offices, in turn, allocate funding to the local URM providers who deliver direct care and services.
Research and Further Information
Ongoing research efforts are dedicated to enhancing the URM program. In 2021, ACF’s Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE) completed a comprehensive three-year study to gain deeper insights into the services and benefits offered and the experiences of the youth served. This study has produced valuable publications, including findings briefs, final reports, and program snapshots, offering valuable resources for those interested in the URM program and related fields. Special topic reports on education and mental health within the URM program provide broader insights applicable to other ORR initiatives.
For further inquiries, the URM program can be contacted directly via email at [email protected].
The Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Foster Care Program provides a vital service, offering safety, support, and a path towards a brighter future for vulnerable children who have faced unimaginable challenges. By understanding and supporting this program, communities can play a crucial role in helping these young individuals rebuild their lives and integrate into society.
