Five myths & Facts

Rumors abound
“Refugees get the red carpet rolled out for them when they arrive here. They don’t pay taxes. And they drain federal assistance programs.” Sound familiar? They are some of the many myths swirling around what refugees do get when the come to Utica, and what they don’t.

Here’s the reality:

#1
MYTH: Refugees are paid between $5,000 to $10,000 to come here.

FACT: There is no financial incentive to becoming a refugee and coming to the United States. Refugees are required to sign a promissory note and pay back their travel expenses.

#2
MYTH: The Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees gets $5,000-$10,000 for each refugee it settles.

FACT: The resettlement agency receives a grant for each refugee settled for the first month only. For a single refugee, the grant is insufficient to cover the necessities — rent, utilities, furniture, clothing and food. The agency is required to make up the difference from agency funds and/or donations.

#3
MYTH: Refugees don’t pay taxes for the first five to 10 years they are in the United States.

FACT: Refugees start paying federal, state, sales, school and property taxes as soon as they begin working or owning property.

#4
MYTH: Refugees get on welfare and stay there.

FACT: The federal government mandates that refugees be employed within six months after arriving in America.

#5
MYTH: Refugees cause urban problems.

FACT: Immigrant communities are revitalizing dying neighborhoods in cities and older suburbs that would otherwise be suffering from middle class flight and a shrinking tax base.

Source: Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees