Who’s Coming, and How Many?
Texas is one of the top destinations for refugee resettlement in the United States. Over the past 20 years, the state has welcomed nearly 100,000 refugees, more than any other state during several years of the 2010s. Its large urban centers, relatively low cost of living, and existing ethnic enclaves make it a practical location for refugee resettlement. But numbers alone don’t explain the full story. Refugee resettlement in Texas reflects global instability, shifting U.S. policy, and the capacity of communities on the ground.
In the past few years, refugee populations arriving in Texas have changed depending on international crises. Currently, some of the most common countries of origin include:
Afghanistan, especially after the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. Thousands of Afghan allies were evacuated and resettled under humanitarian parole, many ending up in Texas due to its military bases and Afghan-American population.
Myanmar (Burma), especially among the persecuted Chin and Rohingya ethnic groups.
The Democratic Republic of Congo, due to years of conflict and displacement.
Syria and Iraq, reflecting ongoing unrest in the Middle East.
These populations often cluster in metro areas such as Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio. Houston in particular has become a national hub—it’s the most ethnically diverse city in the United States, and has one of the highest rates of refugee resettlement nationwide.
But the size of the refugee population isn’t the only issue. How refugees fare depends greatly on local support infrastructure. While the federal government provides a basic framework—resettlement agencies help with housing, job placement, and school enrollment for the first few months—there’s little long-term support at the state level in Texas.
This places more pressure on local organizations, many of which are underfunded or volunteer-led. Some cities have strong mutual aid networks, and in others, faith-based groups or churches step in. But outcomes vary widely, depending on which zip code a refugee family lands in.
The numbers also don’t reflect how recent federal shifts have affected Texas. Under the Trump administration, refugee admissions dropped to historic lows. Even though the Biden administration increased the cap, actual admissions have been slow to rebound due to staffing shortages, housing crises, and community capacity.
Furthermore, Governor Greg Abbott’s 2020 decision to opt out of refugee resettlement, later overruled in court, signaled a chilling message. Although federal agencies resumed placements, it forced many nonprofits to operate more cautiously or scale back in anticipation of further hostility.
Texas remains a vital site of refugee arrival, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Refugees may come here in large numbers, but the welcome they receive is shaped not just by federal policy, but also by the attitudes and resources of the communities they now call home.