Immigration

Who's Better At Resettling Refugees: Canada Or The US?

Canada and the U.S. might vet refugees similarly, but there are differences in the systems, especially in how refugees are handled after they arrive.

Who's Better At Resettling Refugees: Canada Or The US?
Government of Canada
SMS

When it comes to Syrian refugees, Canada doesn't just accept more than the U.S., it may be better at integrating them, too.

A Syrian refugee told Al Jazeera: "There is a war. We scared from bombs and explosion, from everything. No future."

Both countries' vetting processes are similar and provide refugees with assistance, like financial and medical support along with language classes.

But the big difference is how long the refugees get to integrate. The U.S. gives refugees three months before they have to find a job. Canada gives them a year.

A Syrian refugee told Voice of America, "The bus come, and daddy doesn't know where it got to go."

Also, because Canada has more government-sponsored programs like health care for its nationals than the U.S., incoming Syrian refugees can benefit from those programs.

Of course, Canada's system isn't perfect, either.

CBC says government-sponsored Syrian refugees have less access to resources compared to refugees sponsored privately through groups or individuals.

Canada accepted 25,000 Syrian refugees from November 2015 to February this year. It's planning on accepting 25,000 more refugees by the end of 2016.

The U.S. has taken in just over 2,800 Syrian refugees since 2011 but has announced the number could reach as high as 45,000 by 2017.

This video includes clips from Government of CanadaAl JazeeraVoice of AmericaPBSUnited NationsU.S. Department of State and The White House