Here’s the Story of a Syrian Refugee Family Resettling in Detroit
Family of four says they are grateful to have been welcomed with open arms
Stephen speaks with Sean de Four, Lutheran Social Services Vice President, Children and Family Services overseeing refugee resettlement. Lutheran Social Services is the largest re-settler of refugees in Michigan. Also in studio is Radwan Abduljalil Mughrbel, a Syrian refugee who arrived to the U.S. with his wife and two sons on July 6, 2015 and Anne Pio, Refugee Specialist, Refugee Services, Lutheran Social Services.
Several key points:
- The family fled Syria due to political and humanitarian dangers. As a consequence of the civil war and the rise of ISIS , the family fled their country to Jordan with the hope of finding a place of peace and safety.
- When Radwan & his family arrived here, their living conditions totally changed.
- LSSM/ Resettlement program assisted the family in locating housing, becoming acclimated to the community, facilitating health screenings, pursuit of employment, cultural adjustment, and English language programs.
- Radwan’s sons (Ahmed & Soubei) are working full time jobs as general labor workers.
- The family has already reached their goal of self-sufficiency.
Lutheran Social Services Information About Refugee Resettlement:
- Currently, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), the national organization overseeing organizations like LSSM in refugee resettlement, is working with the State Department to designate Michigan as one of the top 3 destinations in America for Syrian refugees. Their current working goal is to bring 5,000-10,000 Syrian refugees here within the next two years.
- Number of refugees resettled by LSSM in Michigan: 1,837 individuals in 2014. Refugee resettlement efforts include whole families as well as unaccompanied refugee minors (refugee foster care).
- From 2011-2014, fewer than 200 Syrian refugees were resettled in the United States. In the first 11 months of fiscal 2015, more than 1,200 Syrians were resettled in the U.S.
- More than half of the entire population of Syria has been displaced from their homes – by bombardment, civil war, and the growing threat of ISIS. There are more than 4.08 million Syrian refugees registered in countries neighboring Syria.
- More than two-thirds of today’s Syrian refugees are women and children.
- Refugees are not allowed to work legally where they seek asylum, meaning they may have no economic support for their families.