Office of Refugee Resettlement

About the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). **ORR's Mission:** To promote the health, well-being, and stability of refugees, unaccompanied alien children, and other eligible individuals and families, through culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and strengths-based services. **ORR's Vision:** All new arrivals to be welcomed with high-quality services and resources so they can maximize their potential. Established as a part of the Refugee Act of 1980, ORR initially supported refugees, asylees, unaccompanied refugee minors, and Cuban and Haitian entrants. However, over time, as designated by Congress, ORR's mission grew to serve many different populations from around the world. Today, ORR's Refugee Program Bureau serves the following [populations](https://acf.gov/orr/programs/refugees/factsheets): - **Refugees** - **Asylees** - **Cuban/Haitian entrants** - **Afghan and Iraqi Special Immigrants** - **Amerasians** - **Victims of Trafficking** - **Afghan and Ukrainian humanitarian parolees** [About ORR Fact Sheet (PDF)](https://acf.gov/sites/default/files/documents/orr/about_orr_fact_sheet_0.pdf) In 2003, Congress expanded ORR's role to serve [unaccompanied alien children](https://acf.gov/orr/programs/uac/about). Through the Unaccompanied Alien Children Bureau, ORR provides for the care and custody of unaccompanied alien children who enter the United States from other countries without an adult guardian. ORR is legally required to provide for their care until they are placed with a vetted sponsor, usually a parent or relative, while their immigration cases proceed. Under the refugee resettlement program, with the support of its network, ORR coordinates the resettlement and placement of refugees across the United States. After arriving in their destination states, ORR provides initial benefits and services to assist newcomers, including time-limited cash and medical assistance, as well as longer-term support services. In addition, ORR provides unaccompanied refugee minors and other eligible youth with necessary care to promote their safety, education, well-being, and self-sufficiency. ORR administers a unique foster care program for [unaccompanied refugee minors](https://acf.gov/orr/programs/refugees/urm) that supports their direct care and helps them transition to adulthood. Also, the [Survivors of Torture](https://acf.gov/orr/programs/refugees/services-survivors-torture) program provides rehabilitative, social, and legal services to individuals who have been tortured in another country and are now living in the United States, regardless of their immigration status. ORR is committed to ensuring that all funding recipients provide services and benefits in compliance with federal law, ORR policies, and in conformity with ORR's high standards for effective service delivery. Our partners follow clear grant guidelines and expectations, and ORR has a rigorous monitoring and evaluation system to ensure compliance and monitor performance.