Facts & Figures
According to the United Nations, there are at least 108.4 million forcibly displaced people worldwide, the highest level since World War II. Of these, 29.4 million are refugees – meaning not only have they been forced to leave their homes, but often friends and family, education, and career – the result of having to leave their home country.
More than half of refugees are children, fleeing violence and worse – while still at risk of exploitation, abuse, and more. Many refugee children have been separated from their family or are otherwise unsupported.
In FY 2022, a little over 25,000 refugees from around the world were admitted to the United States, a considerable decrease from the 84,994 welcomed in 2016, as COVID-19 and the previous administration’s policies continued to have an impact on resettlement numbers. Refugees from Burma and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are the two largest groups now resettling in Indiana.
During August 2021 – February 2022, 90,000 Afghan evacuees entered the U.S. under humanitarian parole, a temporary legal classification that, unlike refugee status, does not provide a pathway to U.S. citizenship. Exodus has been working to apply to asylum for all Afghan clients, and has been advocating for the Afghan Adjustment Act to pass in Congress to provide Afghan evacuees a path to citizenship.
