Refugee Health Program: About Refugee Health and the Program

How Does the U.S. Refugee System Work?—Information on the history and statistics of refugee arrivals to the U.S. Also describes the screening and approval process, as well as other questions about the refugee arrival process.

A Refugee’s Journey to the United States (PDF)—A description of the process refugees go through to reach Wisconsin. Also includes the history of resettlement in the state.

A Refugee’s Journey to the United States (PDF)—An infographic that briefly outlines the resettlement process in Wisconsin.

U.S. Refugee Admissions Program—Details on admissions, application and case processing, and reception and placement. Also outlines the Central American Minors Program and the latest Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions.

U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program – An Overview—Visuals of the screening, placement, and transit of refugees to the U.S. There are also helpful links to the agencies involved.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Information on Refugees—Information on the refugee process. This includes coming to the U.S., working in the U.S., filing for permanent residency, and traveling abroad.

Who are Refugees and How Do They Arrive in the United States?—A video on the refugee resettlement process. This is designed for onboarding and resettlement staff. It also has a toolkit with reflections and resources.

Refugee medical screening is a thorough physical exam. It includes comprehensive screening for diseases that can be spread from person to person.

The screening aims to:

• Follow-up on any medical issues found in the refugee’s overseas medical screening.
• Identify diseases that can spread quickly from person to person in close quarters in large groups.
• Find personal health conditions that could make it difficult for a refugee to resettle.
• Connect refugees to a primary care provider for ongoing health care.

For more information, please visit our Refugee Health: Medical Screening page.

Refugees and other visa holders may apply for a green card (adjustment of status) in the United States. They are required to undergo an immigration medical examination. The examination must be done by a doctor who is designated by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

USCIS designates certain doctors (known as civil surgeons) to perform the immigration medical examination required for most green card applicants.

Please see USCIS's website to find a civil surgeon and learn more about adjustment of status.

There are several health concerns, both acute and chronic, that may arise through the refugee experience and which are often seen within resettled groups. These specific areas include but are not limited to:

• Chronic illness not treatable during migration.
• Infectious disease that is made worse by living in close quarters in large groups.
• Mental health illness resulting from flight, migration, and/or resettlement.
• Neglected dental and eye care.

For specific medical concerns, see our Refugee Health: For Health Professionals page. There you can find several resources for:

• Dental care.
• Medical screening.
• Trauma-informed mental health care.

Refugee Cash and Medical Assistance—Details on the Refugee Cash Assistance Program and Refugee Medical Assistance. The page outlines who can apply and how.

Income Maintenance and Tribal Agency Contact Information—Information on how to access Medicaid benefits within Wisconsin.