What Are the Prospects for Refugees With Disabilities in the United States?

Author: Pavel Kuljuk
Published: 2025/03/03 - Updated: 2025/03/08
Publication Type: Opinion Piece, Editorial
Topic: Disability Political Editorials - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates

Synopsis: In the event of a major war in Europe, the U.S. becomes the most likely place of refuge for civilians. What opportunities can America provide for disabled refugees.

Why it matters: This editorial examines the challenges and opportunities that refugees with disabilities may encounter when seeking asylum in the United States, especially in the context of potential large-scale conflicts in Europe. It highlights the increased proportion of disabled individuals among refugee populations during wartime, rising from 6% in peacetime to 10%. The article discusses historical precedents, such as the U.S. acceptance of a significant number of Ukrainian refugees in the late 1940s, and emphasizes the importance of state-level support programs. For instance, California's Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) provides monthly benefits to aged, blind, or disabled non-citizens ineligible for federal assistance due to their immigration status. Similarly, New York's "ONA Ramirez June Initiative" aims to support new Americans with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. These insights are particularly valuable for policymakers, disability advocates, and refugees with disabilities, offering a nuanced understanding of the support mechanisms available and underscoring the critical role of targeted assistance programs in facilitating successful integration - Disabled World (DW).

Introduction

The world is in an unsettled situation. The likelihood of a major war between Europe and Russia is increasing. And this war, like any other war, will be a source of a large number of immigrants and refugees. The United States is skillfully distancing itself from this war. This makes America the most likely place where people will flee from military action. It is especially difficult for disabled people to do this.

Main Item

But war is merciless and forces disabled people to change their place of residence more actively than in peacetime. In peacetime, about 6% of all immigrants are disabled.(1) However, in wartime, the share of disabled people in the total flow of refugees increases almost twofold and reaches 10%!(2) Fortunately, the United States responds well to the sharp increase in the number of refugees. For example, in 1949-1950, the United States accepted almost 10% of the total number of Ukrainian diaspora living in the United States. This was done thanks to a special law.(3) This speaks of the great economic potential of the American state and the effective work of officials.

However, the reception of disabled immigrants is not organized as perfectly as the reception of non-disabled immigrants. A special article "Disabled People Need a Special Corridor to Immigrate to the United States" was devoted to the existing problems in this area.(4) But let's be fair. The American government is trying to improve the situation. Support measures are provided, including to disabled military refugees. This is done at the state level. Therefore, when entering the United States, it is very important to choose the right state of residence. The governments of some states have created special programs and fully pay for these programs from state budgets. For example, a special support program for disabled refugees operates in the state of California.

Here's what the California state government's special website says about it,(5)

CAPI is a 100 percent state-funded program designed to provide monthly cash benefits to aged, blind, or disabled non-citizens who are ineligible for SSI/SSP solely due to their immigration status. The Welfare Reform Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-193) eliminated Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) eligibility for most non-citizens.

To be eligible for CAPI you must:

Some states have assistance programs based on private initiatives or joint efforts of the state government and the public. For example, such a program operates in New York State. We are talking about the "ONA Ramirez June Initiative". This initiative was created to support new Americans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families in New York State.

Here's what the New York State government website says about this program,(6)

Goals of the Ramirez June Initiative:

There are also some options at the federal level. For example, the national Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) is now offering direct crisis counseling and support for Deaf or hard of hearing American Sign Language users via a dedicated videophone option.(7)

As we can see, assistance can be financial, moral and informational. However, there are fewer programs providing financial assistance than all others. In the current situation, the universal means of support are people close to the disabled person. It is friends, relatives and family who can help financially and morally. Therefore, it is best for a disabled person to move to the USA together with close people or go alone but to close people already living in the USA. Although, of course, it is best that there is no war and all people live in their homes.

Check List

1) https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/2022-04/Being%20an%20Immigrant%20with%20Disabilities.pdf

2) https://reliefweb.int/report/ukraine/resilient-picture-experiences-persons-disabilities-ukraine

3) https://usa.mfa.gov.ua/en/ukraine-and-usa/ukrainians-us

4) https://www.disabled-world.com/editorials/special-corridor.php

5) https://www.cdss.ca.gov/capi

6) https://dos.ny.gov/ramirez-june-initiative

7) https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/helplines/disaster-distress-helpline

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: In light of the increasing global tensions and the potential rise in refugee populations, it is imperative that both federal and state governments proactively enhance and expand support systems for refugees with disabilities. By learning from existing programs and addressing current gaps, the United States can reaffirm its commitment to humanitarian principles and ensure that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, have access to the resources and opportunities necessary for a dignified and secure life - Disabled World (DW).

Author Credentials: Pavel Kuljuk's articles and poems are published in Australia, North America, and Europe. In recent years, he has been constantly collaborating with Australian Rural & Regional News (Australia), Red Hook Daily Catch and OpEd News (USA), and Disabled World (Canada). Kuliuk's individual publications are in Forbes (Kazakhstan), Rural 21 (Germany), London Loves Business (UK), Karrep (India), RealClearDefense (RCD), Change Links, Daily Caller (USA), and many others. Explore for comprehensive insights into his background, expertise, and accomplishments.

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Citing and References

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Cite This Page: Pavel Kuljuk. (2025, March 3 - Last revised: 2025, March 8). What Are the Prospects for Refugees With Disabilities in the United States?. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved March 23, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/editorials/political/us-refugees.php

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