No program we staff is as misunderstood as Refugee Resettlement. For more than 25 years, Catholic Charities has resettled victims of religious and political persecutions. Syria has created the largest refugee crisis since Eastern Europe’s “ethnic cleansing” 20 years ago. In March 2015, the civil war entered its fifth year, displacing 10.3 million Syrians from their homes, 4 million-plus to neighboring countries:

â–º Lebanon: 1.7 million.

â–º Turkey: 1.6 million.

â–º Jordan: 622,000.

â–º Iraq: 200,000.

â–º Egypt: 130,000.

By contrast, 11,000 have been referred to the United States, 511 of whom were resettled by March 31, 2015. Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Rockford has resettled fewer than 50.

Sandwiching two wars in the Middle East around the 9/11 attack on America, Syria’s conflict and ISIS atrocities make Americans afraid that, with the unwitting help of Catholic Charities and others, terrorists will invade our country. No process is perfect, but the resettlement system is careful and effective for the 70,000 worldwide refugees that Congress and the president annually allow into the U.S.

U.N. representatives initially determine whether individuals are refugees — people who fled their home country and cannot return because of well-founded fears of persecution based on religion, race, ethnicity or nationality.

For individuals referred to the U.S., State Department agents secure personal data for security clearance and conduct in-person interviews. Enhanced American security checks were developed and have been applied to all refugee applicants since 2010. Security reviews require clearances from U.S. law enforcement and intelligence agencies, using fingerprints, photographs and retina scans.

Homeland Security agents interview applicants, and screen out those who do not qualify. If all criteria are met, conditional approval is submitted to the State Department and finalized only after all security checks have been received. Applicants are then medically screened by a physician designated by the U.S.

Refugees are assigned to a voluntary agency, such as the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, which directs them to organizations such as Catholic Charities. While awaiting resettlement, refugees receive cultural orientation to prepare for their journey and new lives. Notice to leave may occur as little as 72 hours before departure and final security checks are conducted. Identity and verification of status occur at the airport, or even on the plane before takeoff.

Upon arrival at one of five designated American airports, federal officers review refugees’ documentation and conduct additional security checks to verify identity, health screening and approval for admission. Chicago O’Hare arrivals board a bus for Rockford where Catholic Charities caseworkers — all of whom are former refugees — greet them in their native languages (we speak 28) and transport them to a prepared residence. Within 24 hours, cultural orientation, additional health screening, and adequacy of accommodations are reviewed, and special needs such as English language classes and job skills are determined.

Every refugee story is as different as each crisis. What is constant is Catholic Charities’ commitment to the persecuted. We remember that the Holy Family were refugees once and we work to see Joseph, Mary and Jesus in each refugee we assist.