Key Takeaways
• Minnesota supports refugees admitted through USRAP before January 27, 2025, with jobs, health care, and legal aid.
• Asylum seekers with pending or approved cases in Minnesota may access limited state support and legal help.
• New refugee arrivals through USRAP after January 27, 2025, are suspended due to a federal Executive Order.
If you are a refugee or asylum seeker in Minnesota in 2025, you may be wondering if you qualify for state-level support and what resources are available to help you settle and build a new life. The following guide will help you quickly determine if you are eligible for Minnesota’s programs, what the requirements are, what might disqualify you, and what options you have if you do not meet the criteria. You will also find practical tips to improve your chances of getting help and making the most of the services offered.
Federal changes in 2025 have made it harder for new refugees to enter the United States 🇺🇸, but Minnesota continues to offer strong support for those already in the state and for some new arrivals through other legal paths. Let’s break down the details so you can see where you stand.
Who Qualifies for Minnesota’s Refugee and Asylum Seeker Support in 2025?
To qualify for most state-level refugee support in Minnesota, you must meet one of these main criteria:
- You arrived in Minnesota as a refugee through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) before January 27, 2025.
- You are an asylum seeker who is physically present in Minnesota and have applied for asylum or have been granted asylum.
- You entered Minnesota through another legal humanitarian pathway, such as humanitarian parole, before recent federal restrictions.
Let’s look at each group in more detail.
1. Refugees Already in Minnesota Before the 2025 Federal Suspension
YES, you qualify for full state-level support if:
– You arrived in Minnesota as a refugee before January 27, 2025.
– You were admitted through the USRAP and have proof of your status (such as your I-94 Arrival/Departure Record or refugee travel document).
What support can you get?
– Access to jobs, food, health care, housing, and legal aid through the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) and partner organizations.
– Help with English language learning, job training, and youth programs from groups like the International Institute of Minnesota (IIMN).
– Specialized support for your community (for example, the Karen Organization of Minnesota helps Karen refugees).
– Pathway to U.S. citizenship after five years in the United States 🇺🇸.
Example:
A Somali family who arrived in St. Paul in December 2024 through USRAP can use all state and local refugee services, including job placement, English classes, and health care.
NO, you do not qualify for these services if:
– You arrived after January 27, 2025, as a refugee through USRAP (since new arrivals are paused).
– You do not have legal refugee status or proof of arrival before the suspension.
Disqualifying factors:
– Arriving after the federal Executive Order took effect and not having another legal status.
– Entering the state without any legal immigration status.
2. Asylum Seekers in Minnesota
YES, you may qualify for some state and local support if:
– You are physically present in Minnesota and have applied for asylum with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or the immigration court.
– You have been granted asylum and can show your approval notice or asylum grant letter.
What support can you get?
– Legal aid and help with your asylum application from organizations like the International Institute of Minnesota and the Minnesota Council of Churches.
– Access to food, housing, and health care programs (eligibility may depend on your case status and available funding).
– Job training and English classes from community groups.
Example:
A Venezuelan asylum seeker who filed for asylum after arriving in Minneapolis in early 2025 can get legal help and may be able to join English classes or job training programs.
NO, you do not qualify for all refugee-specific services if:
– You have not yet applied for asylum or do not have any pending immigration case.
– You are in Minnesota without any legal status or pending application.
Disqualifying factors:
– Not having proof of a pending asylum application or grant.
– Being in removal (deportation) proceedings without a pending asylum case.
3. New Refugee Arrivals After the 2025 Executive Order
NO, you do not qualify for state-level refugee resettlement support if:
– You are trying to enter Minnesota as a new refugee through USRAP after January 27, 2025. The federal Executive Order has paused all new refugee admissions.
– You do not have another legal status, such as humanitarian parole or asylum.
Disqualifying factors:
– Arriving after the suspension without a valid humanitarian or legal entry path.
– Being subject to new federal travel bans or visa restrictions.
Exceptions:
Some humanitarian parolees or people from certain countries may still enter, but recent federal rules have made this much harder. For example, the Supreme Court ruling on May 30, 2025, ended humanitarian parole for Cubans, Haitians, and Venezuelans, so people from these countries may not be able to use this path anymore.
4. Humanitarian Parolees and Other Special Cases
YES, you may qualify for some support if:
– You entered Minnesota before the new federal restrictions as a humanitarian parolee.
– You have proof of your legal entry and status.
NO, you do not qualify if:
– You entered after the new restrictions or do not have legal status.
Disqualifying factors:
– Arriving after the cutoff dates for parole programs.
– Not having proof of legal entry or status.
5. What If You Do Not Qualify? Alternative Options
If you do not meet the above criteria, you still have some options:
- Seek legal help: Many organizations offer free or low-cost legal advice to help you understand your status and possible paths forward.
- Apply for asylum if eligible: If you fear returning to your home country, you may be able to apply for asylum. Learn more about the asylum process and required forms, such as Form I-589 (Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal), available on the USCIS official website.
- Look for community support: Some local churches, nonprofits, and volunteer groups may offer food, shelter, or emergency help regardless of your immigration status.
- Stay informed: Federal and state rules can change quickly. Check updates from the Minnesota Department of Human Services and trusted community organizations.
6. How to Improve Your Chances of Getting Support
- Keep all your documents: Always keep copies of your arrival records, asylum application receipts, and any letters from immigration authorities.
- Contact the Refugee and Immigrant Helpline: This helpline connects you to resources for jobs, food, health care, housing, and legal help. Find the number on the Minnesota DHS Refugee Programs page.
- Work with a trusted organization: Groups like the International Institute of Minnesota, Arrive Ministries, and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota can help you understand your options and connect you to services.
- Take part in English classes and job training: These programs can help you find work and adjust to life in Minnesota.
- Ask about volunteer support: Many Minnesotans want to help newcomers. Volunteers can help you learn English, find housing, or adjust to your new community.
7. What Services Are Available and Who Provides Them?
Minnesota has a strong network of organizations ready to help eligible refugees and asylum seekers:
Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Refugee Programs
– Main state agency for refugee support.
– Offers help with jobs, food, health, housing, and legal aid.
– Distributes federal funds to local agencies for extra services.
International Institute of Minnesota (IIMN)
– Offers legal help, English classes, job training, youth programs, and anti-trafficking services.
– Helps with job placement and career training, such as Certified Nursing Assistant programs.
Arrive Ministries
– Focuses on the first 90 days after arrival, helping refugees settle in and access resources.
Minnesota Council of Churches Refugee Services
– Provides specialized help for refugees and asylees, including help with immigration applications.
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS)
– Offers housing, employment, and social services.
Other Community Organizations
– Karen Organization of Minnesota (KOM): Supports Karen refugees.
– CAIRO, CAPI USA, CAPLP, MMLA, MNAWC, SEWA-AIFW, UACC, UCAP, YMCA of the North: Offer various services for different communities.
Refugee and Immigrant Helpline
– Connects you to resources for jobs, food, health, housing, and legal help.
8. Recent Policy Changes That May Affect You
- Executive Order (January 20, 2025): Suspended new refugee admissions through USRAP, affecting arrivals after January 27, 2025.
- Presidential Proclamation (June 4, 2025): Restricted travel from 12 countries and visa issuance from 7 others, making it harder for some people to enter.
- Supreme Court Ruling (May 30, 2025): Ended humanitarian parole for Cubans, Haitians, and Venezuelans.
- Minnesota Department of Health’s Refugee Health Program: Continues to monitor health needs and provide updates.
9. What Does This Mean for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Minnesota?
- If you arrived before the federal suspension or have legal asylum status, you can get full support.
- If you are a new arrival after January 27, 2025, through USRAP, you cannot get state-level refugee support right now.
- If you are an asylum seeker or humanitarian parolee with legal status, you may get some help, but services may be limited.
- If you do not have legal status or a pending case, your options are limited, but you can still seek legal advice and community support.
10. How to Stay Updated and Get Help
- Check the Minnesota Department of Human Services website for the latest information: Minnesota DHS Refugee Programs
- Contact the Refugee and Immigrant Helpline for direct support.
- Reach out to local organizations like the International Institute of Minnesota, Arrive Ministries, and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota.
- Stay in touch with community groups that serve your language or cultural community.
11. Key Takeaways and Next Steps
- Eligibility depends on when and how you arrived in Minnesota and your current legal status.
- Refugees who arrived before January 27, 2025, and asylum seekers with pending or approved cases can get most state-level support.
- New refugee arrivals after the Executive Order are not eligible for state-level refugee resettlement support unless federal rules change.
- If you are not eligible, seek legal help and look for community-based support.
- Keep your documents safe, stay informed, and use the Refugee and Immigrant Helpline to connect with resources.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, Minnesota’s strong network of state agencies and community organizations continues to serve refugees and asylum seekers, even as federal rules change. The state’s commitment to helping newcomers remains clear, with many ways to get help if you qualify.
If you are unsure about your status or what support you can get, start by contacting the Minnesota Department of Human Services or a trusted local organization. They can help you understand your options and guide you through the next steps.
For more information about the Refugee Admissions Program and updates on federal policies, visit the official U.S. Department of State Refugee Admissions page.
By staying informed and reaching out for help, you can find the support you need to build a new life in Minnesota, even during uncertain times.
Learn Today
USRAP → The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program that legally admits refugees into the United States through federal vetting and resettlement.
Asylum Seeker → A person physically present in the U.S. requesting protection due to persecution fears in their home country.
Humanitarian Parole → Temporary permission to enter and stay in the U.S. for urgent humanitarian reasons without formal refugee status.
Executive Order → A federal directive that suspended new refugee admissions through USRAP starting January 27, 2025.
Refugee Resettlement → Programs and services helping refugees settle, integrate, and build new lives in the U.S. after arrival.
This Article in a Nutshell
Minnesota offers strong state-level support for refugees arriving before January 27, 2025, including jobs, healthcare, and legal aid, despite federal suspension of new USRAP admissions. Asylum seekers with approved or pending cases may get partial help. New arrivals after this date cannot access state refugee resettlement services currently.
— By VisaVerge.com
