Refugee Programs Bureau (RPB)

Mission   |    Who We Serve   |    What We Do   |   Population-Specific Information   |    Grant Information   |   Other Resources

Mission

The RPB’s mission is to provide state-level leadership and coordination of programs and services to achieve successful resettlement and integration of vulnerable populations in California.  Our vision is to empower individuals to successfully transition and grow in California communities.

Who We Serve

Refugee youth, adults, families, and other vulnerable populations including:

• Afghan and Iraqi Special Immigrant Visa holders
• Amerasians from Vietnam
• Asylees
• Certified Human Trafficking Victims
• Cuban/Haitian Entrants  *
• Refugees
• Repatriates
• Unaccompanied Refugee Minors
• Victims of Human Trafficking, Domestic Violence, and Other Serious Crimes

What We Do

The RPB oversees culturally-sensitive and linguistically-appropriate services that helps clients attain the skills needed to achieve self-sufficiency and a successful integration. We achieve our goals by partnering with counties, resettlement agencies, school districts, and community based organizations. Programs include:

• Afghan Support and Investment Program
• Enhanced Services for Asylees & Vulnerable Noncitizens Program
• Refugee Resettlement Program
• Repatriation Program
• Services to Older Refugees
• Trafficking and Crime Victims Assistance Program
• Afghan Integration and Resettlement Services
• Statewide Asylee Orientation

For Information about programs for youth please visit the Office of Immigrant Youth web page.

Population-Specific Information

Additional population-specific information is included below:
 

• Ukrainians: For more information and resources to support Ukrainian newcomers, visit the Ukrainian Arrivals webpage.

• Afghans: For more information and resources to support Afghan newcomers, visit the Afghan Arrival Response webpage.

• Cuban/Haitian Entrants: You may qualify as a Cuban/Haitian Entrant if you are a Cuban or Haitian national (1) granted parole as a Cuban/Haitian Entrant; (2) in removal proceedings; or (3) have an application for asylum pending. For more information, please find the PDF named “Benefits for Cuban/Haitian Entrants” on the ORR Resources-Fact Sheet page and the All County Information No. I-63-22.

Grant Information

Additional information about RPB grant programs is included below:

• Afghan Communities Support (ACS) Program: ACS is a two-year initiative to increase organizational capacity, improve case management and expand education and outreach to support Afghan newcomers in California.

• Afghan Support and Investment Program (ASIP): ASIP supports the transition of Afghan newcomers to long-term housing in California.

• Afghan Integration and Resettlement Services (AIRS) Program: AIRS increases the organizational capacity of qualified nonprofit organizations to provide culturally and linguistically responsive case management services to assist with the successful integration of Afghan arrivals into their communities.

• Statewide Asylee Orientation (SAO) Program: The Statewide Asylee Orientation (SAO) is a virtual orientation for California residents who have been granted asylum. The accessible self-paced learning modules will be available by the end of calendar year 2022 in various languages via a web-based portal and include information on how to navigate eligible services and benefits.

• Enhanced Services for Asylees and Vulnerable Noncitizens (ESAVN) Program: ESAVN provides resettlement case management services for persons who are currently residing in California and are granted asylum by the U.S. Attorney General or the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, or who are eligible for assistance and services as members of “vulnerable populations” under the Trafficking and Crime Victim Assistance Program (TCVAP).

Other Resources

• Private Sponsorship: The U.S. Department of State, in coordination with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, launched Welcome Corps on January 19, 2023. Welcome Corps is designed to empower Americans to form Private Sponsor Groups to welcome and support refugees.
  
  
• Public Charge: Most immigrants are not subject to public charge; however, Afghan Humanitarian Parolees, Afghan SI/SQ Parolees, and Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees are not currently explicitly exempted. The new rule details change in how DHS will interpret public charge, clarifies DHS policy regarding those to whom the public charge rule applies, and explicitly exempts those granted refugee benefits by Congress.

• Technical Assistance for Resettlement Providers: Switchboard, a technical assistance provider funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement, provides a “one-stop resource hub for refugee service providers in the U.S.”
   
• Expedited Professional Licensure Process: This resource provides information about expedited professional licensure eligibility and processes for Refugees, Asylees, and Special Immigrant Visas Holders.

• COVID-19 Updates: For information and updates related to COVID-19, please visit the links below:
   
  • COVID-19 Data and Latest Updates
  • Vaccination Information
  • County Risk Levels
  • Blueprint for a Safer Economy

Questions/Comments

Please use the Contact Us page.

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