Date of Defense

6-29-2022

Date of Graduation

8-2022

Department

Communication

First Advisor

Leah Omilion-Hodges

Second Advisor

Jeff Whitaker

Abstract

This study aims to objectively examine the impact that the global refugee crisis has on the United States, and vice versa. Research was conducted on the history of refugee resettlement in the United States as well as current statistics in order to create an overview of the refugee process to the United States and how resettlement is handled. A map was also created of the top countries refugees flee from to visually illustrate the extensive process of refugees’ journeys to the United States. This project is rooted in communication theories to provide a framework of understanding how refugees in the United States can or should be approached in a way that reduces the influence of bias or stereotypes. Utilizing communication theories is helpful in understanding different potential responses of refugees who are resettled in the United States, which aids their transition and integration as well as the adaptation of those in the local community. By promoting factual understanding and implementing strategic communication tactics, conflicts can be reduced and avoided, promoting mutual understanding which leads to a better perspective from which to address refugees and continue developing the policies that impact refugee communities. Summarizing the history of refugee resettlement and analyzing its evolution to the modern day from a communication perspective is important because there are many conflicting messages and misinformation in media that misrepresent the reality of the situation, and this causes harm and negatively impacts the development of policies regarding refugee resettlement in the United States. Refugee and asylee issues are a highly polarized and political topic in mainstream media; this study seeks to approach refugee and asylee policy from as objective of a perspective as possible, rather than approaching the topic through a specific social or political motivation, and to present facts and information that neither promotes nor degrades one side or another. The purpose of this study is to filter the true narrative and provide a factual foundation to approaching study and analysis of refugee and asylee policy.

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Open Access

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Included in

Communication Commons

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