2. Myths
There are many myths and misconceptions about refugees and asylum
seekers. Refugees are forced to flee their home countries to escape war,
persecution and violence. They do not have a choice. Refugees have to
leave behind their lives, loved ones and many are likely to spend years in
refugee camps or settlements not knowing where they will be next.
This presentation illustrates common myths about refugees and asylum
seekers and the actual facts. Appreciating facts is an important step in
eliminating myths so that we can provide a welcoming environment to
refugees and support their integration into the host country.
3. 1. Myth: Most refugees seek asylum
in developed nations like the U.S.
Fact: The UN’s Refugee Agency
estimates that over 85% of the world’s
refugees are hosted by developing
countries (Alexander, 2018; Concern
Worldwide, 2022; Court, 2019;
UNHCR, 2020).
Photo source: NBC News
4. 2. Myth: Refugees are an economic burden and take jobs away from
citizens of the host country
Fact: Refugees pay billions of dollars a year in taxes and pay more in
taxes than they receive in benefits. Refugees also tend to take jobs that
most people are not willing to do and have helped increase the workforce
in the U.S. by 47% over the past 10 years (Alexander, 2020; Alexander,
2018, Concern Worldwide, 2022; Kramer, n.d.; Russell, 2016; Russell,
2016; UNHCR, 2020).
5. Fact: Most refugees leave their home country as a last
resort in order to escape war, violence, and/or persecution
(Alexander, 2018; Concern Worldwide, 2022; Court, 2019;
Russell, 2016; UNHCR, 2020). According to the UNHCR,
more than 126,000 refugees returned to their home
country during 2021 (Concern Worldwide, 2022).
3. Myth: Refugees willingly leave their home countries in order to
find a better jobs or places to live and do not want to return to their
home countries
Photo source: UNHCR
6. 4. Myth: Refugees pose a health risk and compromise the safety and
security of their host country
Fact: New American Economy, a bipartisan research and advocacy
organization, found that crime decreased in the cities most affected by the
U.S. refugee resettlement program (Concern Worldwide, 2022). Refugees
must undergo a thorough vetting process before being admitted into
resettlement countries to ensure security (Kramer, n.d.; Russell, 2016). In
some resettlement countries, such as the U.S., they must also undergo a
medical examination and receive medical treatment as a preventative
measure prior to admission (Alexander, 2020; Kramer, n.d.).
7. 5. Myth: I have nothing in common with refugees
Fact: Refugees are people who have been displaced from their home
countries and anyone can become a refugee no matter their age, race,
occupation, etc. (Concern Worldwide, 2022; UNHCR, 2020).
8. 6. Myth: There’s nothing I can do to help refugees
Fact: Donating to efforts that help the refugee crisis, spreading
awareness about the refugee crisis, and taking time to listen to the stories
and voices of refugees are just a few things people can do to help
(Alexander, 2018; UNHCR, 2020).
9. 7. Myth: All refugees reside in camps
Fact: Refugee shelters or resettlement
sites (government-provided facilities,
makeshift shelters, etc.) differ by country.
According to UNHCR, 61% of all refugees
were living in urban areas in 2018 (Court,
2019).
Photo source: UNHCR
10. 8. Myth: Refugees get access to education
in countries of asylum
Fact: Only 61% of refugee children have access to primary education,
compared to 91% globally. Also, only 23% of refugee youth have access
to secondary education, compared to 84% globally (Court, 2019).
11. 9. Myth: Most refugees are adults
Fact: More than 50% of refugees are
children (Alexander, 2020; Alexander, 2018;
Concern Worldwide, 2022; Russell, 2016).
Photo source: UNHCR
12. 10. Myth: Refugees are like all other migrants
Fact: Refugees are a specific category of migrants. Refugees are
considered involuntary migrants who have left their home countries for safety
due to war, violence, and/or persecution (Alexander, 2020; Alexander, 2018;
Concern Worldwide, 2022; Court, 2019; Kramer, n.d.).
13. 11. Myth: All refugees seek asylum from
war
Fact: History has documented that most
refugees flee their home country due to war.
However, other issues can cause people to
seek asylum, such as religious, social,
national, racial, and political persecution,
hunger, and/or climate change (Alexander,
2018).
Photo source: UNHCR
14. 12. Myth: All refugees are Muslim
Fact: In 2016, about 24,000 refugees who arrived to the U.S. were
Muslim, according to the U.S. Office of Admissions Refugee Processing
Center. More than 30,000 refugees were of other religions (Alexander,
2020; Russell, 2016).
15. References
Alexander, L. (2020, February 24). Examining 10 myths about refugees. The Borgen Project. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from
https://borgenproject.org/10-myths-about-refugees/
Alexander, S. (2018, June 18). 8 dangerous myths about refugees debunked. One Campaign. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from
https://www.one.org/us/blog/dangerous-myths-refugees-debunked/
Concern Worldwide. (2022, February 21). 6 refugee myths, busted and 6 refugee facts you should know. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from
https://www.concernusa.org/story/refugee-myths-and-facts/
Court, A. (2019, August 19). Debunked: The 5 biggest refugee myths. World Economic Forum. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/08/debunked-the-5-biggest-refugee-myths/
Kramer, B. (n.d.). Learn the facts about refugees: Discover the answers to four common myths about refugees. Bethany Christian Services.
Retrieved November 4, 2022, from https://bethany.org/resources/learn-the-facts-about-refugees
Russell, J. (2016, September 19). Seven common myths about refugee resettlement in the United States. The International Rescue Committee.
Retrieved November 4, 2022, from https://www.rescue.org/article/seven-common-myths-about-refugee-resettlement-united-states
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). (2020, November 19). Myths and facts about refugees in the United States. United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from https://www.unrefugees.org/news/myths-and-facts-about-refugees-in-the-united-states/
Editor's Notes
4. Myth: Refugees pose a health risk and compromise the safety and security of their host country
Fact: New American Economy, a bipartisan research and advocacy organization, found that crime decreased in the cities most affected by the U.S. refugee resettlement program (Concern Worldwide, 2022). Refugees must undergo a thorough vetting process before being admitted into resettlement countries. to ensure security (Kramer, n.d.; Russell, 2016). In some resettlement countries, such as the US, they must also undergo a medical examination and receive medical treatment as a preventative measure prior to admission (Alexander, 2020; Kramer, n.d.).
