Who Handles Refugees?

The question of whether refugee policy should fall under federal or state jurisdiction has become increasingly complex in recent years. While the federal government holds primary legal authority over immigration and refugee admissions, the real-world implementation of refugee resettlement and integration often falls on the shoulders of state and local governments. The result is a shared but sometimes contentious responsibility between federal and state actors.

At its core, refugee admission is indisputably a federal issue. The U.S. Constitution grants the federal government authority over immigration, and agencies like the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the State Department coordinate to decide how many refugees to admit each year and from which countries. The federal government also manages the legal process that grants refugee status, provides initial security screenings, and oversees transportation logistics.

However, once refugees arrive in the United States, state and local governments play a crucial role in their resettlement. Through the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), the federal government funds a network of nonprofits, state agencies, and local affiliates to help refugees find housing, access public education, and enroll in job training or English language programs. This makes refugee support a practical state-level issue, even if the legal structure remains federally controlled.

The overlap of responsibilities has at times created tension. For example, in 2015, several governors opposed the resettlement of Syrian refugees in their states following terrorist attacks in Europe. Although states do not have the legal authority to block refugees from entering their borders, they can influence how welcoming their services and infrastructure are. A state may, for instance, restrict cooperation with federal refugee contractors or limit access to certain state-funded programs. This demonstrates how state-level decisions can effectively shape the refugee experience, even within a federally coordinated framework.

Moreover, some states choose to go above and beyond federal mandates, creating their own initiatives to assist refugee populations. States like California and Minnesota have implemented comprehensive support programs that include healthcare access, legal assistance, and community integration services. These efforts not only reflect state values but also fill gaps left by federal policy, particularly during years when the federal refugee ceiling is set lower or resources are cut.

In short, refugee admission is fundamentally a federal issue rooted in international agreements and national security. Yet the day-to-day reality of resettlement is heavily localized, meaning states have both the power and the responsibility to shape outcomes. Ultimately, while the federal government sets the legal and logistical terms for refugee admissions, the success of those policies depends in large part on state-level execution. In this way, dealing with refugees is not solely a federal or state issue—it is both, requiring partnership, clarity of roles, and a commitment to shared responsibility.