Immigrant & Refugee Integration
Each year the United States accepts hundreds of thousands of newcomers, either as immigrants or refugees. Recent arrivals often have very specific language needs, as well as orientation and resettlement needs.
Given opportunity, newcomers become significant contributors to our society, sharing linguistic and cultural assets, as well as innovative ideas, entrepreneurial skills, and drive, all of which make our communities stronger.
CAL has been a leader in refugee education and orientation since 1975. We have been helping immigrant and refugee newcomers understand fundamental aspects of life in the United States, as well as helping service providers and other interested parties understand the backgrounds, cultures, and linguistic heritage of the new members of their communities. In addition, CAL has a long history of conducting research and developing strategies for educational success for immigrants across a wide range of ages and language proficiency levels. Building on this legacy, several of CAL’s projects and resources are designed to support the implementation of programs for immigrant students.
CAL is committed to making longer-term Americans aware of the resources and values brought to the United States by its newest residents. We have a key role to play as discussion of the contributions of immigrants to our society is elevated to a prominent role in our national discourse.
To learn more about CAL's work and resources about this topic, browse the subtopics within this section.
Projects
Cultural Orientation Resource (COR) Center
The Cultural Orientation Resource (COR) Center, housed at CAL, provides technical assistance regarding the cultural and community orientation refugees receive, either before their resettlement in the United States or after their arrival, as well as about their likely resettlement needs.
Bienvenidos Project
CAL provided technical assistance to the National Council of La Raza to provide vital services to NCLR’s network of affiliate organizations.
The Linking Communities Project: Building Welcome for Refugees
CAL's Immigrant and Refugee Integration team is working in partnership with HIAS and several other agencies on this pilot project, supported by the J.M. Kaplan Fund, to facilitate the creation of linkages between refugees and receiving communities.
Exemplary Programs for Newcomer English Language Learners at the Secondary Level
Project goals included identify exemplary programs for newcomer English language learners in middle and high school; gain a better understanding of the multiple approaches the programs use to support the students’ academic achievement; and widely disseminate findings on effective practices and policies.
Resources
Connecting Diverse Cultures: A Video Guide for A New Day and Be Who You Are
Developed as a companion to the DVD Refugee Families and Youth in the United States, this informative guide incorporates segments of the video into engaging activities. Connecting Diverse Cultures features practical and effective activity plans designed to help facilitators, teachers, and trainers increase understanding of and appreciation for other cultures and beliefs.
Welcome to the United States: A Guidebook for Refugees
The Welcome to the United States guidebook provides valuable information to help refugees prepare for the first few months in the United States.
Making Your Way: A Reception and Placement Orientation Curriculum
This comprehensive curriculum is designed to equip refugee service providers with an effective and efficient approach to orientation. Orientation is part of a package of mandated core resettlement services provided for newly arrived refugees during the Reception and Placement (R&P) period, a refugee’s first 30 to 90 days in the United States.
Helping Newcomer Students Succeed in Secondary Schools and Beyond
This research project consisted of a national survey of secondary school newcomer programs; compilation of program profiles into an online, searchable database; and case studies of 10 of these programs, selected for their exemplary practices.
Services
CAL supports refugee and immigrant integration through the development of orientation programs for newcomers, their service providers, and other members of their receiving communities. Programs and services can be customized to meet your needs.
News & Events
Making Immigrant Students and English-Learners Feel Welcome in School
It's so important for schools to be welcoming to all students, particularly immigrants and English-language learners, experts said at the Building Welcoming School Communities event held in Washington, DC.
Building Welcoming School Communities: An Interactive Event for Key Stakeholders
Supporting Unaccompanied Children in U.S. Schools - Free Webinar
On September 18, 2014, USCCB's Children's Services, together with Bridging Refugee Youth and Children's Services (BRYCS), will offer an overview of the humanitarian crisis regarding the current influx of children migrating to the United States, as well as some of the reasons behind their flight from their home countries.