The mission of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) is to promote the health, well-being, and stability of refugees, unaccompanied alien children, and other eligible individuals and families, through culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and strengths-based services. Our vision is for all new arrivals to be welcomed with equitable, high-quality services and resources so they can maximize their potential.
ORR was established as a part of the Refugee Act of 1980, designated to support refugees, unaccompanied refugee minors, and Cuban and Haitian entrants. Since its establishment in 1980, Congress has continually expanded ORR’s mandate to meet the evolving needs of refugees, asylees, survivors of torture, and victims of trafficking. In 2003, Congress expanded ORR’s role to serve unaccompanied alien children. Since then, Congress has made additional populations eligible for ORR Refugee Resettlement Program (RRP) services.
ORR benefits and services are available to eligible persons from the following groups:
- Refugees
- Asylees
- Cuban/Haitian entrants
- Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders
- Amerasians
- Victims of Trafficking (PDF) (PDF)
ORR’s Survivors of Torture program provides rehabilitative, social, and legal services to individuals — regardless of immigration status - who have experienced torture which occurred outside the U.S.
ORR also provides care and placement for unaccompanied alien children who enter the United States from other countries without an adult guardian.
ORR has two key areas: the Unaccompanied Alien Children Bureau serving unaccompanied alien children, and the Refugee Program Bureau serving all populations eligible for resettlement services.