Refugee Arrivals in New Jersey

Over the last fifty years, the United States has positioned itself as a global leader in refugee resettlement, welcoming over three million individuals seeking safety from severe conditions. This commitment has experienced ups and downs, notably with a significant reduction in the refugee cap to 15,000 in 2021. The Biden administration later raised this cap to 125,000, signaling a shift back towards more open immigration policies. Despite this increase, the rate of refugee admissions has been slow to return to levels seen before 2016, with over 25,000 refugees admitted in fiscal year 2022 and a substantial rise to more than 60,000 by 2023.

By mid-2024, the largest groups of refugees to the U.S. came from Venezuela, Afghanistan, and Congo—countries dealing with their own severe crises that have driven millions to seek safety abroad. Venezuelans are escaping severe economic instability and shortages, while Afghans and Congolese flee prolonged conflicts.

In New Jersey, our community has become a key destination for many seeking safety and a new start. Since October 2023, our state has welcomed 180 refugees from Venezuela and 107 from both Guatemala and Syria. This reflects the broader national trend and shows how diverse our new residents are coming from various backgrounds, including Nicaragua, El Salvador, and more. They are enriching our community with their unique cultures and stories.

This variety challenges us to provide support and understanding as these individuals rebuild their lives in a new setting. It also underscores the important role states like Texas, California, and New York play in the resettlement process.

Let's consider how we can support these new members of our community. Whether through volunteering, advocacy, or simply by offering a welcoming environment, every action helps integrate these individuals into our society.

Stacker used data from the Refugee Processing Center  to gather and report on the statistics concerning the origins and numbers of refugees resettled in New Jersey as of June 2024. The report does not include countries that have only one refugee resettled since October 2023.

June 2024 refugee statistics

Countries where refugees arrived from in June 2024

To New Jersey:

#1. Venezuela: 22

#2. Afghanistan: 15

#3. Nicaragua: 11

#4. El Salvador: 6

#5. Guatemala: 4

#5. Haiti: 4

#5. Syria: 4

#8. Eritrea: 3

#8. Honduras: 3

#10. Somalia: 1

To the U.S. as a whole:

#1. Venezuela: 1,163

#2. Afghanistan: 1,093

#3. Congo: 615

#4. Syria: 422

#5. Somalia: 403

States that accepted the most refugees in June 2024:

#1. Texas: 619

#2. California: 370

#3. New York: 355

#4. Florida: 339

#5. Arizona: 243