Mississippi Ends Refugee Resettlement Services After October 2025 Closure

Key Takeaways

• Mississippi ends refugee resettlement after October 2025 due to Catholic Charities of Jackson closure.
• Refugees arriving before October 2025 qualify for limited benefits like RCA and RMA for 12 months.
• Unaccompanied Refugee Minors under 18 remain eligible for care through Mississippi’s URM program.

If you are a refugee or asylum seeker considering Mississippi in 2025, or if you are already living there, it’s important to know exactly what support is available, who qualifies, and what changes are coming. The state’s refugee resettlement system is facing major changes, especially with the closure of Catholic Charities of Jackson, the only agency in Mississippi that has handled refugee resettlement. This guide will help you quickly figure out if you qualify for support, what you can expect, and what to do if you don’t meet the requirements.

Key Point: After October 2025, Mississippi will no longer resettle new refugees because Catholic Charities of Jackson is closing its refugee resettlement office. This means the state’s formal refugee resettlement program will end, and support will look very different.

Who Qualifies for Refugee Support in Mississippi (2025)?

To see if you qualify for refugee support in Mississippi, you need to look at your status, when you arrived, and what programs are still running. Here are the main categories:

1. Refugees Already Living in Mississippi Before October 2025

YES, you qualify for some support if:
– You were resettled in Mississippi before October 2025 through Catholic Charities of Jackson or another official agency.
– You have official refugee status, asylee status, or are a Cuban or Haitian entrant, or a victim of trafficking.
– You are within the time limits for certain benefits (usually within 12 months of arrival for cash and medical help).

NO, you do not qualify for new resettlement in Mississippi if:
– You are a new refugee arriving after October 2025. Mississippi will not accept new refugee arrivals for resettlement after this date.
– You are seeking to be resettled in Mississippi from another country or another state after October 2025.

Example:
If you arrived in Mississippi as a refugee in July 2025, you can still get help from programs like Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) and Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) for up to 12 months after your arrival. But if you arrive in November 2025, you will not be resettled in Mississippi.

2. Asylum Seekers in Mississippi

YES, you may qualify for some support if:
– You have applied for asylum and are waiting for a decision.
– You are already living in Mississippi and have proof of your asylum application.

NO, you do not qualify for refugee resettlement services if:
– You are not yet in the United States 🇺🇸 and want to be resettled in Mississippi.
– You do not have an active asylum case or have been denied asylum.

Example:
If you are an asylum seeker living in Mississippi and your case is pending, you may be able to get help from local community groups or ethnic organizations, but you will not have access to formal resettlement services after October 2025.

3. Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM)

YES, you qualify for the URM program if:
– You are under 18 and arrived in the United States 🇺🇸 without a parent or guardian.
– You have been given refugee, asylee, or similar humanitarian status.
– You are placed in Mississippi through the URM program.

NO, you do not qualify if:
– You are over 18.
– You are not recognized as a refugee, asylee, or similar status.
– You are not placed in Mississippi through the URM program.

Example:
A 16-year-old from a war-torn country who arrives alone and is placed in Mississippi through the URM program will get foster care, education, and health services.

Detailed Requirements for Each Program

Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) and Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA)

• Eligibility:
  • You must be a refugee, asylee, Cuban or Haitian entrant, or victim of trafficking.
  • You must not qualify for other federal programs like TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) or Medicaid.
  • You must be within 12 months of your arrival in the United States 🇺🇸.
• What You Get:
  • RCA provides monthly cash payments to help with basic needs.
  • RMA covers medical costs for up to 12 months after arrival.
• Disqualifying Factors:
  • If you qualify for TANF or Medicaid, you cannot get RCA or RMA.
  • If you have been in the United States 🇺🇸 for more than 12 months, you are no longer eligible.
• How to Apply:
  • Applications are usually handled by the resettlement agency (Catholic Charities of Jackson), but after October 2025, you may need to contact the Mississippi Department of Human Services or the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) for guidance.

Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM) Program

• Eligibility:
  • Must be under 18 and have no parent or guardian in the United States 🇺🇸.
  • Must have refugee, asylee, or similar status.
  • Must be placed in Mississippi through the URM program.
• What You Get:
  • Foster care placement.
  • Case management, education, health care, and help with family reunification.
• Disqualifying Factors:
  • Age 18 or older.
  • Not recognized as a refugee, asylee, or similar status.
  • Not placed in Mississippi through the URM program.
• How to Apply:
  • Placement is coordinated by the Office of Refugee Resettlement and the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services.

Matching Grant Program (MG) and Preferred Communities Program (PC)

• Eligibility:
  • Must be a refugee, asylee, or similar status.
  • Must be within the first 6 months of arrival for MG.
  • Must be identified as vulnerable for PC.
• What You Get:
  • MG: Help finding a job, English classes, and case management for up to 180 days.
  • PC: Intensive case management for up to one year.
• Disqualifying Factors:
  • Not a refugee, asylee, or similar status.
  • Not within the time window after arrival.
  • Not identified as vulnerable (for PC).
• How to Apply:
  • These programs are usually run by local affiliates. In Mississippi, access is limited and may only be available through national agencies or nearby states.

Disqualifying Factors for Refugee Resettlement in Mississippi (2025 and Beyond)

• Arriving After October 2025:
  No new refugees will be resettled in Mississippi after this date. If you are hoping to come to Mississippi as a refugee, you will be redirected to another state.

• No Official Status:
  If you do not have recognized refugee, asylee, or similar status, you are not eligible for these programs.

• Time Limits:
  Many benefits, like RCA and RMA, are only available for the first 12 months after arrival.

• Already Receiving Other Federal Benefits:
  If you qualify for programs like TANF or Medicaid, you cannot receive RCA or RMA.

Alternative Options If You Are Not Eligible

If you do not qualify for refugee resettlement or support in Mississippi, here are some steps you can take:

• Consider Resettlement in Another State:
  States like Tennessee or Louisiana have active refugee resettlement programs. You can ask to be placed in one of these states if you are still overseas or in a refugee camp.

• Seek Help from Community-Based Organizations:
  Many ethnic community-based organizations (ECBOs) in Mississippi are run by former refugees and can offer help with finding housing, jobs, and social support. These groups may become even more important after October 2025.

• Contact National Agencies:
  The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) provides information and can help direct you to available services. Visit the ORR official website for more details.

• Legal Aid and Advocacy:
  If you are an asylum seeker or have a complicated case, look for legal aid organizations that can help you with your application or appeal.

How to Improve Your Chances of Getting Support

• Arrive Before October 2025:
  If you are already approved for resettlement and want to live in Mississippi, try to arrive before the closure of Catholic Charities of Jackson’s resettlement office.

• Keep All Documents:
  Make sure you have proof of your status, arrival date, and any applications you have made. This will help you access any benefits you are eligible for.

• Connect with Local Organizations:
  Build relationships with ECBOs and other local groups. They can help you find resources and support, especially as formal programs end.

• Stay Informed:
  Policies can change quickly. Check the ORR website and local news for updates about refugee programs in Mississippi.

Examples and Scenarios

• Example 1:
  A family from Syria arrives in Mississippi in August 2025. They are resettled by Catholic Charities of Jackson. They qualify for RCA and RMA for 12 months, and their children can attend local schools. After October 2025, they may have less access to case management, but they can still get help from community groups.

• Example 2:
  An individual from the Democratic Republic of Congo is approved for resettlement but cannot arrive until November 2025. They will not be placed in Mississippi and will be sent to another state with an active resettlement program.

• Example 3:
  A 17-year-old from Afghanistan arrives alone and is placed in the URM program in Mississippi. They receive foster care and support until they turn 18 or are reunited with family.

Key Stakeholders and Where to Get Help

• Catholic Charities of Jackson:
  The main agency for refugee resettlement in Mississippi, closing its program by October 2025.

• Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR):
  The federal agency that funds refugee programs. Visit the ORR official website for the latest information.

• Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services (MDCPS):
  Runs the URM program and can help with services for unaccompanied minors.

• Local ECBOs:
  These groups are run by refugees and can help with cultural, social, and practical needs.

What Happens After October 2025?

• No New Refugee Arrivals:
  Mississippi will not accept new refugees for resettlement. New arrivals will be sent to other states.

• Existing Refugees:
  Those already in Mississippi can still get some federal benefits, but support will be more limited.

• Unaccompanied Minors:
  The URM program will continue to help unaccompanied refugee minors.

• Community Support:
  Local organizations and informal networks will become even more important for helping refugees and asylum seekers.

Summary Table: Who Qualifies for Refugee Support in Mississippi (2025)

Final Takeaways and Next Steps

• If you are a refugee or asylum seeker already in Mississippi, keep using available programs like RCA, RMA, and URM while they last.
• If you are hoping to be resettled in Mississippi after October 2025, you will need to look at other states.
• Connect with community-based organizations for ongoing support.
• Stay updated on policy changes by checking the ORR website and local news.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the closure of Catholic Charities of Jackson’s refugee resettlement office marks a major change for Mississippi’s refugee support system. While some federal programs will continue for those already in the state, new arrivals will need to look elsewhere, and local organizations will play a bigger role in helping refugees and asylum seekers move forward.

For more information on federal refugee programs and eligibility, visit the Office of Refugee Resettlement official website.

Learn Today

Refugee Resettlement → A program helping refugees integrate into new communities with support services and housing.
Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) → A federal benefit providing monthly cash aid to refugees for up to 12 months after arrival.
Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) → Healthcare coverage offered to eligible refugees for medical needs during the first year in the U.S.
Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM) → A program serving refugees under 18 without parents, offering foster care and supportive services.
Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) → Federal agency managing and funding refugee integration programs nationwide.

This Article in a Nutshell

Mississippi’s refugee support system changes drastically as Catholic Charities of Jackson closes. After October 2025, no new refugees resettled locally. Existing refugees keep limited access to programs. Community groups grow vital. Children under 18 in URM program still receive care, while asylum seekers face restricted options in resettlement.
— By VisaVerge.com