Resettling Vietnamese refugees: the service agency's role

A Historical Analysis of Southeast Asian Refugee Communities: Post-war Acculturation and Education in the U.S.

“…However, the story of Southeast Asian immigration to the U.S. almost entirely begins well into the post-1965 era, with the fall of Saigon to the Viet Cong-the Communist Vietnamese forces-on April 30, 1975. Before this time, immigration to the U.S. from Indochinese nations was almost nonexistent (Rumbaut, 1994(Rumbaut, , 2000, but the pullout of American and allied forces from the region after this date precipitated one of the largest systematic efforts ever undertaken to find placement for refugees (Desbarats, 1985;Montero & Dieppa, 1982;Portes & Rumbaut, 1990).…”

“…The massive enterprise of assisting the refugees in their resettlement had to be organized very quickly, as thousands of people packed airports, boats, vehicles, or even fled on foot to leave the region in the days before and the weeks following the fall of Saigon (Montero & Dieppa, 1982). These refugees were routed to makeshift camps in Thailand, the Philippines, and other Asian Pacific islands, then moved to receiving countries.…”

“…These refugees were routed to makeshift camps in Thailand, the Philippines, and other Asian Pacific islands, then moved to receiving countries. The U.S. and France served as primary destinations in this stage (Montero & Dieppa, 1982).…”

“…In that first year, 1975, the initial wave of refugees who came to the U.S. were routed to one of four camps: Camp Pendleton in California, the first to open on April 28; Fort Chaffee in Arkansas which started receiving refugees on May 2; Eglin Air Force Base in Florida which opened two days later; and Fort Indiantown Gap in Pennsylvania which began its operations on May 28 2 (Montero & Dieppa, 1982). At these camps, refugees were housed and fed while they were processed for resettlement, and some initial training and education in American life, English language, and/or job skills was offered.…”

“…Processing involved an interview, physical examination, and registration with voluntary agencies (Volags) that were helping with the resettlement process. Once registered, the Volags searched for sponsors to assist individuals or families with job placement, housing, accessing medical care, and general adjustment to American life (Montero & Dieppa, 1982). Because of the expense of this assistance, very little of which was covered by the government's meager $500-per-refugee stipend given to the agencies, sponsors tended to consist of groups such as religious or other nonprofit organizations rather than individuals.…”