Common Questions and Answers (FAQ)
Who we serve in New Jersey
What is ORR, and who is served by their refugee program?
The Federal Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) provides new populations with the opportunity to achieve their full potential in the United States. Their programs provide people in need with critical resources to assist them in resettling into their new homes. Refugees, Asylees, Cuban and Haitian Entrants, Special Immigrant Visa Holders (SIV), Amerasians, Victims of Trafficking, Survivors of Torture, and Unaccompanied Immigrant Children are all eligible for certain services through the US Office of Refugee Resettlement ORR and its New Jersey partners.
Where are refugees and other eligible populations in NJ from?
New Jersey has a very diverse population, and the refugee and ORR populations are equally diverse. New Jersey has proudly welcomed refugees from around the world including those from Afghanistan through Operation Allies Welcome (OAW), from Central America and the Caribbean, from Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and the Middle East, including Ukrainians through Uniting for Ukraine (U4U).
Who are refugees and ORR eligible populations?
Who is a refugee?
A refugee is any person who is outside his or her country of nationality or habitual residence, and is unable or unwilling to return to or seek protection of that country due to a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Individuals granted refugee status overseas by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security are brought to the United States for resettlement by the U.S. Department of State. ORR, local resettlement agencies, and volunteers assist with refugees’ resettlement and integration into the U.S. Refugees are eligible to receive ORR benefits and services from the first day they arrive in the U.S.
To learn more about the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, please visit our page on Reception and Placement.
Who is an asylee?
Asylees are individuals who, on their own, travel to the United States and subsequently apply for and receive a grant of asylum. Asylees do not enter the United States as refugees. They may enter as students, tourists, or even without an immigration status. Once in the U.S., or at a land border or port of entry, they apply to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for asylum. To qualify for a grant of asylum, the person must meet the legal definition of a refugee. Asylum status permits the person to remain in the United States and later apply for Legal Permanent Residency (LPR). Individuals granted asylum are eligible for ORR assistance and services. (Note: persons who have a pending application for asylum but who have not been granted asylum are not eligible for ORR assistance and services. The only exception is for certain Cubans and Haitians.)
If you have been granted asylum and are in New Jersey you may be eligible for Refugee Support Services (RSS), Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) or other programs. Please reach out to a Service Provider near you to find out more.
International Rescue Committee 208 Commerce Place Counties served by program: RCA, R&P, RSS in Hunterdon, Somerset, Union To schedule an appointment to be verified for program eligibility, clients can either come to the office, M-F, 9-5, at 208 Commerce Place, 4th Floor, in Elizabeth. Or for a screening in Spanish (or English), text 908-926-8529. For Haitian Creole (or English), text 908-516-0343. Detailed instructions (in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole) for all new clients.
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591 Summit Ave Counties served by program: R&P, RSS in Hudson, Bergen, Passaic, RCA in Hudson, Bergen, Passaic, Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, Atlantic, Burlington, Ocean, Gloucester, Salem, Cape May, Cumberland, Camden
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Highland Park Location: 19 S 2nd Ave, Highland Park, NJ 08904 Vineland Location: 2384 E. Landis Ave, Vineland, NJ 08361 732-357-0590 Counties served by program: R&P, RSS in Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, Atlantic, Burlington, Ocean, Gloucester, Salem, Cape May, Cumberland, Camden
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Jewish Vocational Service of Metro west 7 Glenwood Ave, LL Counties Served by program: RSS in Essex, Morris, Warren, Sussex
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Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Newark 47-71 Miller Street Counties Served by program: RCA in Essex, Morris, Warren, RSS in Essex, Morris, Warren, Sussex
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Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden 1845 Haddon Ave. Counties Served by program: R&P Camden, Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland, Atlantic, Cape May
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Greater Bergen Community Action 235 Main Street, 3rd Floor Counties Served by program: RCA in Bergen, Sussex
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Who are Cuban and Haitian Parolees?
Cubans and Haitians who have a current or expired parole, who are in pending removal proceedings, or who have a pending application for asylum are Cuban/Haitian Entrants and thus are eligible for benefits and services through the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) benefits and services, same as a refugee. For more information, please visit
https://www.acf.hhs.gov/archive/orr/policy-guidance/who-we-serve-cuban/haitian-entrants
Cubans and Haitians who are beneficiaries of the Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan and Venezuelan (CHNV) supporter-based parole have arrived through a sponsorship program established by the Department of Homeland Security are eligible for ORR refugee benefits and services the same as Cuban and Haitian Entrants. They can also apply for employment authorization and a Social Security card, for more information please visit https://www.uscis.gov/CHNV.
Visit our page on Cuban and Haitian Parolees for more information.
Who is a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holder?
For their service to the U.S. government in Iraq and Afghanistan, certain Iraqis and Afghans are granted Special Immigrant (SIV) status overseas by the U.S. Department of State and are admitted to the U.S. by the Department of Homeland Security. The Department of State, in conjunction with the Refugee Resettlement agencies and ORR, assist with the resettlement and integration of SIVs into the U.S. An SIV is eligible for the same ORR benefits and services and for the same time period as a refugee, from the first day the SIV arrives in the U.S. For more information: Who We Serve – Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Holders from Iraq and Afghanistan
Who are Certified Victims of Trafficking?
Certification allows adult victims of trafficking who are not United States (U.S.) citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) to be eligible to receive benefits and services under any Federal or state program or activity to the same extent as a refugee. To receive certification from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), an adult 18 years of age or older must be a victim of severe form of trafficking, be willing to assist in the investigation and prosecution of said trafficking, and other requirements. Foreign child victims of trafficking (under the age of 18) do not need to be certified to receive benefits and services. For more information please visit: FACT SHEET: CERTIFICATION FOR ADULT VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING | The Administration for Children and Families (hhs.gov)
Who is an Afghan Humanitarian Parole (AHP)?
Certain Afghan individuals have been or will be granted humanitarian parole by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, in response to their need for rapid evacuation and relocation under Operation Allies Refuge/Operation Allies Welcome. Afghan humanitarian parolees paroled into the U.S. between July 31, 2021, through September 30, 2023, are eligible to apply for mainstream benefits, resettlement assistance, and other benefits available to refugees, until March 31, 2023, or the end of their parole term, whichever is later.
Visit our page on Afghan Evacuees for more information.
Who is a Ukrainian Humanitarian Parole (UHP)?
Citizens or nationals of Ukraine who the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has paroled into the United States between February 24, 2022, and September 30, 2023, due to urgent humanitarian reasons or for significant public benefit, known as Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees (UHPs).
Visit our page on Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees (UHP) for more information.
What are ORR populations eligible for?
If you currently reside in New Jersey and are an ORR eligible population
- Refugee
- Asylees
- Special Immigrant Visas
- Victims of Trafficking
- Cuban/Haitian Entrants
- Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees (UHP)
- Afghan Humanitarian Parolees (AHP)
You may be eligible for Refugee Support Services (RSS), Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) or other programs. Please visit our Service Providers page to connect with an agency near you or visit our Refugee Health and Benefits page for more information.
What kinds of services are eligible populations able to apply for?
Mainstream social services, such as NJ FamilyCare, NJSNAP and TANF, as well as ORR specific services such as Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA), English Language Learners classes (ELL), employment support, case management services, and other services. Please reach out to a Service Provider near you to find out more.
International Rescue Committee 208 Commerce Place Counties served by program: RCA, R&P, RSS in Hunterdon, Somerset, Union To schedule an appointment to be verified for program eligibility, clients can either come to the office, M-F, 9-5, at 208 Commerce Place, 4th Floor, in Elizabeth. Or for a screening in Spanish (or English), text 908-926-8529. For Haitian Creole (or English), text 908-516-0343. Detailed instructions (in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole) for all new clients.
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591 Summit Ave Counties served by program: R&P, RSS in Hudson, Bergen, Passaic, RCA in Hudson, Bergen, Passaic, Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, Atlantic, Burlington, Ocean, Gloucester, Salem, Cape May, Cumberland, Camden
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Highland Park Location: 19 S 2nd Ave, Highland Park, NJ 08904 Vineland Location: 2384 E. Landis Ave, Vineland, NJ 08361 732-357-0590 Counties served by program: R&P, RSS in Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, Atlantic, Burlington, Ocean, Gloucester, Salem, Cape May, Cumberland, Camden
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Jewish Vocational Service of Metro west 7 Glenwood Ave, LL Counties Served by program: RSS in Essex, Morris, Warren, Sussex,
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Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Newark 47-71 Miller Street Counties Served by program: RCA in Essex, Morris, Warren, RSS in Essex, Morris, Warren, Sussex
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Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden 1845 Haddon Ave. Counties Served by program: R&P Camden, Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland, Atlantic, Cape May
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Greater Bergen Community Action 235 Main Street, 3rd Floor Counties Served by program: RCA in Bergen, Sussex
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I have humanitarian parole and am from Afghanistan or Ukraine. Can I seek assistance?
You may be eligible to receive ORR benefits and services. Please reach out to DHS-NJRefugee.Program@dhs.nj.gov or our partner service providers to learn more.
How can I help or get involved with refugee resettlement in New Jersey?
Connect to any of these Service Providers below and ask how you can help. Assisting refugees is truly a community effort. Local agencies are always looking for volunteers who can assist with welcoming families, mentorship, transportation, translation, service coordination and more. Below is a list of New Jersey agencies supporting refugees.
International Rescue Committee 208 Commerce Place Counties served by program: RCA, R&P, RSS in Hunterdon, Somerset, Union To schedule an appointment to be verified for program eligibility, clients can either come to the office, M-F, 9-5, at 208 Commerce Place, 4th Floor, in Elizabeth. Or for a screening in Spanish (or English), text 908-926-8529. For Haitian Creole (or English), text 908-516-0343. Detailed instructions (in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole) for all new clients.
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591 Summit Ave Counties served by program: R&P, RSS in Hudson, Bergen, Passaic, RCA in Hudson, Bergen, Passaic, Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, Atlantic, Burlington, Ocean, Gloucester, Salem, Cape May, Cumberland, Camden
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Highland Park Location: 19 S 2nd Ave, Highland Park, NJ 08904 Vineland Location: 2384 E. Landis Ave, Vineland, NJ 08361 732-357-0590 Counties served by program: R&P, RSS in Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, Atlantic, Burlington, Ocean, Gloucester, Salem, Cape May, Cumberland, Camden
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Jewish Vocational Service of Metro west 7 Glenwood Ave, LL Counties Served by program: RSS in Essex, Morris, Warren, Sussex
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Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Newark 47-71 Miller Street Counties Served by program: RCA in Essex, Morris, Warren, RSS in Essex, Morris, Warren, Sussex
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Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden 1845 Haddon Ave. Counties Served by program: R&P Camden, Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland, Atlantic, Cape May
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Greater Bergen Community Action 235 Main Street, 3rd Floor Counties Served by program: RCA in Bergen, Sussex
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Are you an employer?
Refugees contribute to New Jersey’s workforce and bring a wealth of talent and skills. Connect with the local Service Provers if you have employment opportunities.
Please visit our Community Support page for more information.
