Coronavirus, Refugees, and Government Policy: The State of U.S. Refugee Resettlement during the Coronavirus Pandemic

The novel coronavirus pandemic poses unique challenges to forcibly displaced populations around the world. Months into the pandemic, countries are still scrambling to enact policies that mitigate the outbreak and minimize the strain on their health-care infrastructures and economies. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees continues to work with member states to provide guidance and assistance to those populations protected under their mandate. However, there is great concern regarding the ability to appropriately provide for displaced populations, as they tend to be hosted in areas that lack access to health care and proper hygiene materials. The situation has been exacerbated by the temporary suspension of refugee resettlement across the globe. In the United States, the Trump Administration has responded to the crisis by further eroding refugee and asylum resettlement programs and failing to properly protect the asylum seekers currently being detained. At the local level, resettled refugees and asylees have responded to the unique challenges posed by coronavirus by using their skillsets to provide assistance and services to community members in need. The coronavirus, and the Trump Administration's response, are likely to have long-term negative impacts on refugee resettlement and asylum programs.