Refugee Toolkit

The Utah State Board of Education is committed to Educational Equity as a priority to ensure academic success for every student. As a result the Student Advocacy Service Department focuses resources on English Learners, Refugees and Immigrant students.

The Goal:
The goal of this website is to outline an educational program that supports the integration of refugee youth in Utah schools. The resources focus on providing a safe and inclusive learning environment while addressing the unique needs of refugee students. The resources aim to empower refugee youth, promote their academic, social, and emotional development, and improve their educational outcomes

Refugee:
Refugees are people who have fled war, violence, conflict or persecution and have crossed an international border to find safety in another country. They often have had to flee with little more than the clothes on their back, leaving behind homes, possessions, jobs and loved ones. Refugees are defined and protected in international law. (1951 Refugee Convention)

Asylee:
An asylum seeker is a person who has left their country and is seeking protection from persecution and serious human rights violations in another country, but who hasn’t yet been legally recognized as a refugee and is waiting to receive a decision on their asylum claim. Seeking asylum is a human right. This means everyone should be allowed to enter another country to seek asylum.

Immigrant Student:
The term "immigrant children and youth," which is defined in section 3301(6) of Title III, refers to individuals who: (A) are aged 3 through 21; (B) were not born in any State; and (C) have not been attending one or more schools in any one or more States for more than 3 full academic years.

Unaccompanied Minor:
Has no lawful immigration status in the United States. Is under 18 years of age. Has no parent or legal guardian in the United States or no parent or legal guardian in the United States is available to provide care and physical custody.

Migrant:
While there is no formal legal definition of an international migrant, most experts agree that an international migrant is someone who changes his or her country of usual residence, irrespective of the reason for migration or legal status. Generally, a distinction is made between short-term or temporary migration, covering movements with a duration between three and 12 months, and long-term or permanent migration, referring to a change of country of residence for a duration of one year or more.