Unlocking the American Dream

The office of Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services (IRIS) is giving refugees a crash course in English. They want at least some proficiency in 180 days. DP

By Catherine Cheney

Clenching Styrofoam cups of steaming beverages, three men from Iraq, Somalia, and Guinea returned from their coffee break and prepared for further instruction from their English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher.

The teacher asked what new words they had learned over the break.

“Chocolate milk,” responded the Iraqi, just before the Somali answered, “Black coffee!” Eager to impress, the third student added, “Chocolate tea!” The teacher tilted her head in confusion, and then responded, “Oh, hot chocolate!”

The room promptly repeated in unison.

“Hot choc-o-late.”

This was not in an average classroom, but rather, in the office of Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services (IRIS) in New Haven, Connecticut. Resettlement agencies like IRIS assist refugees with the material needs and logistical challenges that they face immediately after arriving in the United States, needs ranging from apartment rent to medical exams. Over 20 percent of IRIS’ $700,000 annual budget is also reserved for a more long-term need: education. This class, where refugees learn how to translate their new surroundings, is an important part of their welcome to the United States.

“This is the land of opportunity, right?” said Chris George, executive director of IRIS. “We all know that everyone does not have the same access to opportunities in this country, but we also know that English education is key to at least having a chance at those opportunities.”

This commitment to English education for refugees is enshrined in the official resettlement policies of the U.S. government. Around 10 percent of IRIS’ budget comes from the Office of Refugee Resettlement’s Match Grant Program, through the department of Health and Human Services. The funds come with a host of regulations. Refugees are expected to achieve economic independence within 180 days of their arrival. As part of reaching this goal, resettlement agencies are mandated to refer refugees to English courses.
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