Refugees undergo more screening than any other persons entering the U.S.

Security Screenings

Refugees are heavily screened and thoroughly vetted long before they are granted admission to the United States. Security screenings are a joint responsibility of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of State, in coordination with multiple additional U.S. government security agencies including the FBI and the Department of Defense. No other immigrants, visitors, or foreign workers receive such a high level of scrutiny before being granted admission to the U.S.

Health Screenings

Once a person applying for refugee status has been deemed eligible and approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, he or she must undergo an overseas health screening to identify medical needs and to ensure that those with a contagious disease, such as tuberculosis, do not enter the United States. Once admitted to the country, a post-arrival health screening is conducted to address any preexisting medical conditions, promote and improve health, prevent disease, and introduce newly arrived refugees to the U.S. healthcare system.

For detailed information regarding the screen process, please reference the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) page.