Office for Refugees and Immigrants
Mission Statement for ORI
To promote the full participation of refugees and immigrants as self-sufficient individuals and families in the economic, social, and civic life of Massachusetts.
What is a Refugee?
Refugee: A person who cannot return to his or her country because of persecution or the well founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. A refugee receives this status before entering the U.S.
In addition to refugees the following groups may be eligible for refugee benefits and services: Asylee, Cuban/Haitian Entrant, Certain Amerasians from Vietnam,Certified Victims of a Severe Form of Trafficking, Permanent Residents (for definitions of terms, please view the glossary).
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Learn about Director Richard Chacon's background, career highlights and other interesting facts.
Note on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (formerly the INS)
If you have are looking for information on becoming a United States citizen or are looking for the former US Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) please select this link http://uscis.gov/graphics/index.htm. The USCIS Boston office telephone is 1 (800) 375-5283.
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Refugees who resettle in Massachusetts are currently eligible for a number of federally and state funded benefits and services designed to assist them in adjusting to their new home and in becoming financially self-sufficient as quickly as possible.
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