* Though the complete outline for sponsorship is still currently in development, the following statement is provided as an initial, first consideration:

The process of sponsoring refugees requires a serious commitment; the time frame is usually a minimum of at least three months. In some cases, sponsors and refugees develop strong bonds which often last for years. Once a refugee or refugee family is cleared to resettle by the U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (previously INS), via the State Department, contracts are awarded for formal resettlement. This is an arrangement made with resettlement agencies around the country. They in turn, seek sponsors who might come forward to help. Various support tasks must be undertaken and include, but are not necessarily exclusive to, helping the refugee family find affordable, safe housing, initiation and completion of required health check ups and exams by a certified U.S. surgeon, providing transportation, clothing, occasional food, helping their children to assimilate into the local school system, assisting the refugees in their search for participation in religious worship of their choice, and help in meeting up with nearby refugee communities of similar national origin; assisting the refugee parents in their job search, acquiring language skills, job skills, and–most importantly–by supporting their first efforts in the new country, create an environment of hope, direction and purpose for the future.

Many resettlement agencies offer formal coursework, especially English as a second language, job skills, computer skills, and job development skills. Since the State Department carefully tracks the status of all resettled refugees for two years, it might be worth embracing the notion that sponsorship entails the same amount of time.

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